Camden New Journal - by PAUL KEILTHY Published: 04 October 2007
Top cop set to ‘swap jobs’
HE is the most senior policeman in Camden, the leader of 800 cops and 200 police staff, so borough commander Mark Heath may have been surprised by an announcement from the Town Hall this week – that he is leaving his job.
Chief Supt Heath was yesterday declining to comment on the email sent to councillors by council chief executive Moira Gibb on Friday, in which she announced that he will be replaced in the New Year.
Ms Gibb’s email, seen by the New Journal, said: “Mark Heath has informed me that, having served as Borough Commander in Camden for nearly four years, it is time for him to move on. “The Metropolitan Police have arranged for him to swap roles with the Borough Commander of Kensington and Chelsea, Chief Superintendent Dominic Clout. “The timescale for the changeover has yet to be finalised but is likely to be in January 2008.”
Bemused staff at Camden police referred questions to Scotland Yard’s HR department, where an official said on Tuesday: “As far as we know nothing has been confirmed yet; we’re not aware of anything.”
Privately, police management said that talks had been held regarding the job swap, which would be in line with Met policies of rotating senior officers to prevent them becoming stale – both Chief Supt Heath and Clout have been in post for more than three years.
Chief Supt Clout’s office was not available for comment yesterday, but he is not a stranger to the Camden patch. He began his 27-year service by serving in King’s Cross as a police constable in 1980.
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