Jon Stoddart Chief Constable Durham Constabulary

After graduating from Northumbria University Jon Stoddart joined his local force in 1982 and was singled out for accelerated promotion. During more than sixteen years with Northumbria, he worked both in uniform and CID and was a Detective Sergeant in Newcastle, a Detective Chief Inspector in Sunderland and, as head of the force's Major Crime Team following his promotion to Detective Superintendent, was in charge of eight murder investigations on Tyneside and Wearside.

He also led the inquiry into the brick attack which left a Sunderland police officer critically injured. As a result six men were jailed for a total of 44 years.

During his time in Northumbria, Mr Stoddart worked as staff officer to the then Chief Constable, Sir John Stevens. He also spent three years as an area Commander in Tynemouth.

As Assistant Chief Constable in Lincolnshire he had responsibility for Crime, Operations, Territorial Policing of the County and Criminal Justice. He is a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers' Crime Committee and chairs both the National Homicide Group and the Holmes II Executive User Group.

Mr Stoddart took up the post of Deputy Chief Constable at Durham Constabulary on 17th February 2003 and became Chief Constable on 12th December 2005.