John Long was appointed as Assistant Chief Constable in April 2008 and is responsible for the policing in Bristol and criminal justice.

John is no stranger to the area as he has served with the constabulary since June 2003 when he joined Avon and Somerset from the Metropolitan Police Service.

He began his career with the Met in 1984 after spending two years working as an economist on the project to build the Metro system in Newcastle.

During his 10 years in the capital he worked in various locations across London and served during the Wapping and Broadwater Farm riots of the 80s, the Clapham and Ladbrook Grove rail disasters, and the poll tax riots of the early 90s.

As Superintendent Head of operations in Wandsworth John was the gold commander for the annual University Boat Race.

He joined Avon and Somerset in June 2003 as Superintendent in the Headquarters operations department. His responsibilities included the policing of Europe's largest music festival – Glastonbury.

In April 2004 he moved to Bristol and played a key role in the amalgamation of the three Bristol districts into one.

In March 2005 he was promoted to Chief Superintendent and took over as district commander of South Gloucestershire district before moving back to Bristol to be district commander in January 2007.

John is a trustee of the Bristol Drugs Project as well as being a visiting lecturer at the University of the West of England.

ACC John Long said: "Bristol is a vibrant and diverse city and it is crucial that we respond in every person's moment of need with absolutely the best level of policing service we can provide. In this way we will maintain and build the confidence in policing that our communities so much need and deserve.

"There are many others who wish to help and work alongside Bristol police in tackling problems of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. We receive wide-ranging support from the Safer Bristol partnership, the business community and the voluntary sector, whether through co-operation, additional resources or stepping forward to deal with individual problems. And, of course, there are the often inspirational actions of the members of the public whom we serve. So many assist us to address and solve problems in their neighbourhoods and their City, from helping us to prevent acts of terrorism to providing information on local anti-social behaviour."