SALISBURY'S new police chief formally introduced himself to councillors at Salisbur Area Board on Thursday.

Inspector Pete Sparrow has replaced Inspector David Minty as sector head for the Salisbury area. Insp Minty has been promoted to Superintendent at Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes.

Insp Sparrow has 22 years of policing experience and once served as Custody Sergeant at the old Police Station on Wilton Road.

He has held a number of different roles in the police, although mostly as a uniformed frontline officer.

He said: "In short, been there; done that and would have got the T shirt if it came in my size."

He briefed councillors on the new Community Policing model, having gained first-hand experience during the scheme's trial in the Trowbridge and Warminster areas.

He said: "Change is often treated with scepticism and mistrust; however, I can honestly say that in my opinion the positives far outweigh the negatives.

"The Community Policing Team Model brings staff to work together. We no longer have Response Officers to attend; Neighbourhood Policing Officers to consider the community impact and longer term issues; Local Crime Investigators to interview and build a file, supported by CID officers for the more serious investigations. All of these officers will work together as a team under one Sergeant taking ownership of investigations from the beginning to the end. They will not be passing the investigation to different departments; they will do it themselves.

"There will be re-skilling of officers, who will have to take personal responsibility for their work, but they will be supported by a blend of experience and skills working alongside them as a team to achieve this goal.

"Officers will also be encouraged to prioritise their work based on risk, utilising the Control Strategy, which identifies the threats and risks to our communities. You will hear more of this in future reports.

"This is a very simple pen picture of how Community Policing changes our approach. I intend to provide a more detailed review in time for the next Area Board. However, even with sight of what is changing it the future, we must not lose sight of the present. I still have a responsibility to provide effective Neighbourhood Policing to our local communities."

"My priorities are simple and do not change regardless of which model we work to: I will provide a visible team within the community and respond to the needs of that community utilising all of the available technology to support the right person going to the right job.

They will be encouraged to not only use the cars, but to engage in foot and cycle patrols and really get to appreciate the benefits of partnership working and visibiltiy.

I am excited by the challenges ahead and look forward to introducing the new Policing Team model to the Salisbury Sector, delivering Community Policing in line with the Control Strategy under a One Team approach to the local Community. I hope to do all this with your support."