PCC announces appointment of new Chief Executive
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer.
Karl Parfitt, who is currently serving as a British Army officer, will take up the post in the Office of the PCC today (March 2nd).
The announcement comes following a confirmation hearing before the Police and Crime Panel of Avon and Somerset this morning (March 2nd).
The Panel is an independent body, made up of local councillors and independent members, who scrutinise the decisions and processes of the PCC.
Clare said: “I’m delighted the Panel has confirmed my appointment of Karl Parfitt and I am looking forward to his start this week.
“Karl brings experience of working in multi-agency settings and high-level skills in translating strategic intention into action, which will be invaluable to me and my team.”
Karl joined the Army in 1991, starting in the Corps of Royal Engineers before serving with Commando Forces, including multiple operational tours.
In recent years, as a Defence regional liaison and planning officer, he played a key role in supporting UK Resilience efforts in the South-West. This role involved close collaboration with police, local authorities, and the NHS during major incidents, the Covid-19 pandemic, and for the security operation at the 2021 G7 Summit.
Karl’s most recent secondment has been on a project called Operation Lazurite, where he was responsible for overseeing 15 Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites hosting Afghan families who have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, as part of the Afghan Resettlement Programme.
Karl said: “I am delighted to be joining Clare’s team at the Office of the PCC, and look forward to helping to the deliver the Police and Crime Plan for the benefit of all communities across Avon and Somerset.”
Councillor Heather Shearer, Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, said: “The Panel members were all impressed by Karl’s breath of experience and responses to our questions. We had no hesitation in unanimously recommending his appointment.”