Code-breaker hero cracks the top police job

Published: March 29, 2007 | 5898th good news item since 2003

THE policeman who masterminded the safe return of the wartime Enigma code-breaking machine after it was stolen from its home at Bletchley Park is to be the new Assistant Chief Constable of West Mercia.

Chief Superintendent Simon Chesterman, who also saw the attempted blackmailer jailed for the offences, is moving to his new post from the Thames Valley’s strategy team.

He joined Thames Valley Police in 1984 and started as a constable based in Oxford. He went on to specialise in CID matters and worked his way through the ranks, pioneering covert evidence-gathering techniques.
advertisement

In 2001, he led an enquiry into the theft of a unique Enigma machine from Bletchley Park Museum and a subsequent blackmail investigation. The machine was successfully recovered and an arrest made. He received a Crown Court Judge’s Commendation.

More recently, he has worked as Area Commander for the Buckingham Basic Command Unit, covering some 550 square miles. The 42-year-old said: “I am delighted to be offered the post as Assistant Chief Constable with West Mercia Constabulary and look forward to serving the local communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire using the experience I have gained with Thames Valley Police.”

His new role with West Mercia Constabulary will involve being responsible for major incident planning and response, serious and organised crime, diversity, roads policing, counter-terrorism and cross border working.

Paul Deneen, Chairman of West Mercia Police Authority said: “The Police Authority is delighted to appoint Simon Chesterman as our new ACC. His background and experience is an excellent fit with the values and visions of West Mercia Constabulary.

Published in Cops and Heroes
See also: www.eveshamjournal.co.uk