Andy Bliss Deputy Chief Constable Essex Police

Andy Bliss joined Sussex Police and progressed to Chief Superintendent as both a uniform and detective officer. Between 1994 and 1996 he was seconded to the Regional Crime Squad working in the area of international and organised crime. He was promoted to Superintendent in 1997 as Head of the Community Safety Department. He then became Divisional Commander 1998 before taking command of the division covering the city of Brighton and Hove in 1999.

He was awarded a BA (Hons) degree in History and Archaeology at Durham University in 1982 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Criminology at Cambridge University in 2003. He took the Strategic Command Course at Bramshill Police Staff College in 2002.

Appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Essex Police in 2004 he was initially responsible for Personnel & Training. In 2006 he became ACC responsible for Territorial Policing and led the implementation of Neighbourhood Policing. In October 2006 he took over responsibility as ACC Protective Services, responsible for Major Crime, Operations and Counter Terrorism.

At the end of 2006 he became Acting Deputy Chief Constable, taking on the role permanently on his formal appointment in February 2007. He now leads on Information Technology, Corporate Development, Media & Public Relations, Professional Standards. He is also the Chair of the Force Development Board. He leads on all strategic aspects of inter force collaboration.

He is a member of the ACPO Drugs Committee and has the national lead on joint working with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in relation to drugs.

He is married with one son and enjoys skiing, cycling and dinghy sailing. He speaks French and enjoys reading about history and politics.