One of Cumbria's Top Police Officers to Retire

After more than thirty years within the police service Cumbria Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable, Graham Sunderland, has announced his retirement.

He joined Cumbria Constabulary in March 2004 where, for the last five years, he has worked to help make the force one of the best performing in the country. He joined the Police service in 1978 and rose through the ranks during his 25 years service with West Yorkshire Police.

ACC Graham Sunderland said: "This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my 30 year policing career and I retire with regret but with a great deal of pride.

"I have enjoyed every minute of my service and I consider myself to be extremely privileged to have met some wonderfully gifted individuals. My five years in Cumbria is no exception and the fact that my family and I have enjoyed our time here supports my view that this is a fantastic county with a tremendous Constabulary.

"It has been an honour to serve in Cumbria and whilst I am proud of what we have achieved during the last five years, I know that the Constabulary will continue to ensure the county remains the safest place in the country for years to come."

In addition to his achievements within Cumbria, Mr Sunderland is the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Lead for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), and in July 2007 he was the DVI advisor at the London Bombings.

Mr Sunderland made his decision to retire after being given the opportunity to continue to build on this work and prepare the UK in case of a disaster striking involving citizens anywhere in the world.

He added: "I am grateful and extremely humbled that the Home Office, ACPO and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have asked me to do this work. I am looking forward to the exciting new challenges ahead."

Chair of the Cumbria Police Authority, Reg Watson, said: "During his five years with Cumbria Constabulary Graham Sunderland's unique style and great breadth of policing experience has played a significant role in driving up performance. Through his operational role he has himself made a major contribution to making Cumbria's residents and visitors feel safe, satisfied and secure and therefore increasing confidence in policing. I am glad that he and his family will continue to live in Cumbria and on behalf of the Police Authority I wish him well in the important national work he is now undertaking. "

Chief Constable Craig Mackey said: "Graham has been an incredible asset to the Constabulary during the last five years. He has been instrumental in changing the way we tackle serious and organised crime and has played a pivotal part in building the Constabulary in to one of the best in the country. He will be greatly missed."