Force solicitor Simon Dennis will replace Ed Chicken in controversial role as Barry Coppinger's chief of staff
The controversial chief of staff position at Cleveland Police has now been filled.
Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger has appointed Simon Dennis to take on the £85,000-a-year job.
He replaces Ed Chicken, who was on secondment from Middlesbrough Council.
He retired at the end of last month.
Mr Chicken controversially replaced Stuart Pudney, who was axed by Mr Coppinger just days after his election as Police and Crime Commissioner.
Mr Pudney was forced to clear his desk less than 12 months after taking over the £90,000-a-year position .
He was previously chief executive of the now defunct Cleveland Police Authority.
Mr Dennis joins the force from his current role as force solicitor and head of legal Services for both North Yorkshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner in North Yorkshire.
Prior to joining the police, he worked as a senior lawyer with North Yorkshire County Council and began his career in private legal practice.
His appointment was confirmed at a police and crime panel meeting.
Labour's Mr Coppinger said: “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to the team. He was the best person for the role from an impressive field of candidates and has a solid background in compliance, governance and scrutiny.
Mr Dennis’s role will involve providing strategic leadership, support and advice across a range of functions, and take on the role of statutory monitoring office
He said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the role of chief of staff, leading the commissioner’s dedicated and highly effective team.
"There are some tough challenges ahead.
“I am looking forward to working with the commissioner, the chief constable and her chief officer team as well as our local and regional partners to ensure a first class service is delivered to the public of Cleveland.”
In February, Stockton South Conservative MP James Wharton blasted Mr Coppinger over the position - pointing out that it could pay for three police officers .
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