Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 17 April 2008

TWO POLICE chiefs have undergone a job swap in a first for both Cumbria and the UK.

Superintendent Gary Slater, deputy police chief in the west of the county, has switched roles with Superintendent Phil Bishop from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) at Sellafield.

The six-month swap, which began this week, has been set-up so the two forces can learn from one another.

Cumbria police said it was the first time a superintendent had been seconded into the CNC nationally.

Based at Sellafield, Supt Slater will be in charge of policing at the nuclear site as well as five other CNC sites, including Hartlepool, Heysham and Wylfa in north Wales.

Supt Slater, a former senior officer in Carlisle, said: “I will be responsible for more then 400 staff, which makes up the largest part of the CNC.

“It is a huge responsibility and I am really looking forward to it.

“The CNC specialise in policing in a commercial setting and so have completely different ways of working.

“This will test my skills and give me lots of new ideas and experiences that I can apply when I return to Cumbria Constabulary. “Using my operational policing experience I will be helping them develop collaborative plans for training, firearms and public order responses.

“We are hoping this will pave the way for future exchanges and joint development opportunities.”

Supt Phil Bishop has worked with the CNC for 24 years said: “I am grateful for everyone’s support so far and am looking forward to the challenges coming my way over the next six months. “We hope this becomes a template for future exchanges between the CNC and the wider policing service.”