Sir James Sharples QPM, DL

Ex pupil of Balshaws School in Leyland Lancashire.

Sir James Sharples commenced his police career with Lancashire Constabulary, later he moved to Greater Manchester Police.

He Transferred to Avon and Somerset Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable.

In 1989 he was appointed as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and remained there for 10 years.
 
He was chairman of Terrorism and Allied matters Committee. As Deputy of Avon and Somerset Constabulary he conducted the enquiry of the Guilford 4  which resulted in the convictions being quashed.

He was knighted in 1996 and reformed the drugs Squad in Merseyside Police and set up the Professional Standards Unit in an attempt to prevent further problems.

He retired from the police in 1998 and became chairman of the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust.

Dave Richards June 2012