Plymouth police commander promoted

Plymouth police commander Andy Boulting is to become the new Assistant Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police.

Chief Supt Boulting has lead the city’s police teams for three and a half years.

He takes up his new position on Monday (Feb 6th) and will be replaced temporarily by Detective Superintendent Dave Thorne who has been a superintendent in the city for the last 18 months.

The moves have come about after the departure of Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly to become Chief Constable of Lincolnshire. Mr Boulting will replace ACC Paul Netherton who becomes Temporary Deputy Chief Constable heading the work on bringing Devon & Cornwall and Dorset police forces closer together.

Mr Boulting said his move to join the executive team based in Exeter was tinged with mixed emotions. “I am happy but also slightly sad in that I never had a desire to leave the city. There is really great policing work going on by a dedicated team who have put in a great deal of effort. I will be sorry to leave that but am confident the ground work has been done to allow success to be built on.”

He took over as Commander in 2013.  Born and bred in the city, he will continue to live in Plymouth.  

Dave Thorne is a former secondary school teacher in science and outdoor education.  He has been with Devon and Cornwall Police since 1999 and has spent much of his career working on child abuse investigations, critical incidents and later with major crime investigations.  He has also spent many years working in Plymouth earlier in his career.