THE search is on for Dorset Police’s next chief constable.

The force's new Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill launched the recruitment process and hopes to find his chosen candidate by February.

The salary is advertised as £146,370 a year, plus removal/relocation expenses and a lease car.

The recruitment of a new chief constable is one of the first jobs to be tackled by Mr Underhill.

He said: “I am looking for a chief constable that shares my vision and the vision of the public for policing locally and wants to make Dorset safer.”

Mr Underhill says he wants a chief constable to concentrate on three main areas – community engagement, putting the victim first and local policing.

The deadline for applications is December 20 and following the recruitment process, Mr Underhill says the new chief constable will be recruited following the meeting of the police and crime panel on February 7.

The top job became vacant at the end of September when chief constable Martin Baker resigned from the force following eight years at the helm.

In 2011/12 Mr Baker’s salary was £142,533, topped up with a bonus of £13,169 and car allowance of £4,309.

Deputy chief constable Debbie Simpson was appointed as acting chief constable and continues to lead the force until a permanent appointment is made.