The new chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police has used his first day in the job to patrol the streets of his patch as a regular bobby on the beat.
Nick Gargan was appointed by police and crime commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens back in January and has joined the force today.
He started his new role by attending daily officer briefings and hitting the streets with patrolling policemen and women.
Mr Gargan, whose previous work has included investigating the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, said he was looking forward to the job, including working alongside Ms Mountstevens.
He said: "This is one of the most diverse and interesting forces in the country, and it's a great honour to take up the role of chief constable of Avon and Somerset.
"It's coincidental that I should be joining the force on the police and crime commissioner's 100th day in office but there is an interesting symbolism in that.
"In this new world of policing and austerity, partnership is even more crucial. The electorate has handed the mandate to the police and crime commissioner, and it's no longer the chief's job alone to set the vision, or solve the budget problems."
He added: "The PCC has a pivotal role to play in helping all of us – police, prisons, probation, children's services, health, adult care; there are too many to mention – to find the best, most cost effective and smartest ways of working together in tackling crime and supporting victims.
"The communities of Avon and Somerset deserve nothing less and I look forward to playing my part in helping to make that happen."
Mr Gargan started his policing career in 1988 with Leicestershire Constabulary, before moving on to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, based at the London bureau of Interpol and then the British Embassy in Paris.
It was here that he worked on the investigation into Princess Diana's death.
He then became assistant chief constable at Thames Valley Police in 2006, before moving to the National Policing Improvement Agency in 2010.
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