Ian Learnmonth Deputy Chief Constable Norfolk Constabulary

Mr Learmonth began his career with Essex Police as a cadet in 1974, before joining the regular force in 1976.
Following his probationary period, he joined the Dog Section and was a handler of both general purpose and explosive dogs before being promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted to Inspector in the Harlow Division in 1989.

From there, Mr Learmonth moved to the Force’s Chelmsford HQ to oversee an IT project, before his promotion to Chief Inspector in 1995, when he returned to Harlow Division as Operations Manager. This was followed by a move back to HQ as temporary Superintendent in charge of the Operations Division, incorporating the Dog Section, Force Support Unit, Marine Unit, Air Support Unit and Horses.

In 1999 Mr Learmonth was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and posted to Stansted Airport. During that time he oversaw operations around a 747 plane crash and a hijack.

He was made Divisional Commander of Harlow on his promotion to Chief Superintendent in 2000, and spent a brief spell as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) before moving on to the Strategic Command Course in March 2004.

After a 28 year career with Essex Police, Mr Learmonth joined Strathclyde Police in May 2005. In his role as Strathclyde Police’s Assistant Chief Constable (Operational Support), he had responsibility for Support Services, Roads Policing, Emergencies Planning and most of the major projects that impact on operational policing.

Mr Learmonth currently sits on the ACPO Public Order Working group and chairs the Policy and Doctrine sub-committee, and is also a member of the ACPO Police Use of Firearms group. He was born in Edinburgh and is married with a grown-up son and daughter. His interests include keeping fit and sports, particularly skiing. He also confesses to enjoying pottering about in the garden.