NORTH Yorkshire’s new chief constable isn't afraid to challenge the Police and Crime Commissioner if she makes a decision he feels is not right for the public.

Chief Constable Dave Jones said although he will work in partnership with North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan, he won't feel pressured into agreeing with her decisions – revealing that this was one of the reasons why she gave him the job.

At a press conference today (Monday, June 3) in Northallerton, Mr Jones said there was little in the Police and Crime Plan – drawn up by Ms Mulligan – he disagreed with.

But he added that he has already challenged Ms Mulligan on issues that he does not agree with her.

“It’s clear that I am held to account through the commissioner, but I will be making the tough operational decisions about how we do our policing on a ground level,” he said.

“We will be working together and making joint decisions because they are often the best working decisions.

“I have already challenged Julia on issues I don’t agree with – I’m not going into what they were but I think that was one of the reasons she chose me to take on this role.”

Mr Jones also addressed concerns that police officers did not have enough training to deal with rural crime, and were not taking calls from farmers seriously.

He said: “It’s something I will bring with me as I do have experience in dealing with crimes in rural areas.

“We need to make sure we have effective partnerships with groups like Farm Watch, and with farming supply industries, to make life is made difficult for thieves.

“On a basic level, officers need to know one end of a cow from another so farming and rural communities are reassured.”

Mr Jones began his job at 12.01am on Monday morning with rounds of Richmond, Catterick, Harrogate, York and Scarborough before a morning briefing in Northallerton Police station.

He said: “It is fundamental for me to see officers on the ground as well as members of the community to get feedback.

“Policing for me is about locking up the bad people, but also being a personable, professional and protective organisation.”

Mr Jones started his career with Greater Manchester Police in 1986 and was previously an assistant chief constable in Northern Ireland.

He succeeds Grahame Maxwell, who stepped down after five years last May, after admitting trying to help a relative during a recruitment process.