Assistant Commissioner of Police Bryan Nigel Bell
Tue, 2006-07-18
Mr. Bell has over 30 years policing experience in a range of policing environments. He started his career in 1975 in the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve before joining the regular force the following year. He served in small rural communities and large conurbations in a variety of ranks and posts until 1999. He recalls, “During my career in the RUC my experiences have ranged from being flown by helicopter to perform election duty on the small island of Rathlin, supporting a Horse Safety Campaign through to being involved in numerous serious terrorist and public order incidents.”
Having completed the Police Strategic Command Course in 1999 he was appointed Assistant Chief Constable with Cleveland Police in the North East of England an area of high drug crime, youth problems and anti-social behaviour. He was the senior officer responsible for all operational matters overseeing the management of numerous serious investigations. He said, “Sadly in some areas drugs had taken a real hold over people and blighted communities, unfortunately some people prefer to turn a blind eye to the problem rather than recognising the danger it presents to the whole of society, it is a problem that cannot be solved by the Police alone but requires the support of and the courage and determination on the part of communities.” Whilst at Cleveland he became Acting Deputy Chief Constable with responsibility for Corporate Services, including Discipline, Human Resources, Training, Finance, Legal Services, Information Technology, Corporate Planning and Performance.
At the end of 2003 he was appointed as the 1st National Co-ordinator of Special Branch for the UK in the rank of Deputy Chief Constable responsible for developing Good Practice and improvements in capacity and capability. This involved close working relationships with Government the Intelligence Agencies and 55 Police Forces in the UK. “This was a particularly challenging time for the Police service, having to recognise failings of proper investment and development in this specialist area of policing at a time when crime and other priorities continued to outstrip resources, but I was impressed by the commitment and dedication of those officers and colleagues involved to protect the public against such a pernicious threat.”
As a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers for England, Wales & Northern Ireland Mr. Bell worked at a National level on Terrorism & Allied Matters, Drugs, Disaster & Emergency Procedures, Roads Policing and Air Support. Mr. Bell is a Home Office Assessor selecting high calibre candidates for senior police service. As a member of an International Monitoring Team he supported and advised the South African Police Service on transformation and modernisation post apartheid.
