The acting-Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall has been put forward for the role permanently by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Shaun Sawyer has been filling the role left when Stephen Otter took up a position with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies.

But the former head of Counter-Terrorism at Scotland Yard came through a series of interviews and beat off four other candidates to be handed the £150,000-a-year position long-term.

The decision taken by Tony Hogg on Wednesday will have to ratified by the Police and Crime Panel on February 8, but the commissioner is confident he has chosen the right man for the job.

He said he impressed the panel ‘tremendously with his clear vision for the future of policing’ in Devon and Cornwall, adding he was looking for ward to working closely with him.

“Shaun Sawyer and I have already built an excellent working relationship and I’m confident that will develop further in the future with our joint aim of cutting crime,” he said.

Mr Sawyer started his policing career in 1986, and joined the Devon and Cornwall force as Deputy Chief Constable in April 2010.

He said he is relishing his new role: “I am delighted to have been selected at this stage to be the new Chief Constable, and look forward to continue working with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Hogg, to provide the best possible policing service across the peninsula.

“The force still faces many challenges over the next few years, but I am confident that through the ongoing hard work and dedication of my staff and officers we can continue to drive down crime, protect vulnerable people and provide an excellent policing service to people across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”