T/Assistant Chief Constable James Avery
James joined Northamptonshire Police in 2008 spending time in uniform policing roles in Northampton before moving into the public protection department where he performed a variety of roles as a Detective Sergeant before being promoted to Detective Inspector in 2016. During this time, James was the operational lead for Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Vulnerable Adults, and the Management of Registered Sex Offenders.
In 2018 James was seconded to the East Midlands Operations Unit where he led covert investigations as a Senior Investigating Officer working across the East Midlands region specialising in Serious, Organised Crime and Kidnap and Extortion before being promoted to Detective Chief Inspector responsible for regional SOC operations in 2020.
James transferred to Leicestershire Police in 2022 and was promoted to Detective Superintendent, becoming the Director of Intelligence and Force Authorising Officer. Whilst in this role James accredited as a PIP 4 Senior Investigating Officer providing strategic oversight of investigations and as a Tactical Firearms Commander.
In 2023 James became the Head of Corporate Services for the Force and led on the Force’s preparations for the HMICFRS PEEL inspection as well as leading the Force performance and insight framework. James was then promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2024 spending a short period as interim Head of Change before taking responsibility for the Specialist Support Directorate which included specialist operations and force corporate services functions.
In April 2025 James was temporarily promoted to Assistant Chief Constable and has portfolio responsibilities for Crime, Intelligence and Criminal Justice.