Sussex Police has appointed a new assistant chief constable.

Geoff Williams, currently seconded to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary from Nottingham Police, hopes to take up his new post before Christmas.

Councillor David Rogers, chairman of the Sussex Police Authority said: "We are delighted to have appointed Mr Williams from a very strong short list. His breadth of operational and other experience will be of immense value in Sussex."

Mr Williams said: "I strongly believe in providing a quality service for the public and this is very much in tune with the views of the chief constable (Ken Jones)."

Mr Williams, 43, joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1978 and has been seconded to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary since March 2001.

He carried out seven inspections of police command units.

He has spent the three-and-a-half years as divisional commander for the Nottingham city centre area, where he led the merger of two police divisions. He also initiated and led a force-wide project to address violent crime.

Mr Williams has an honours degree in business studies from Nottingham Trent University and a masters degree in organisational management with Manchester University.

He has a postgraduate diploma in marketing, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and owns a private pilot's licence.