Cumbria's next chief constable is set to be confirmed in the post this week.
Crime commissioner Peter McCall has recommended Michelle Skeer, the current deputy chief constable, for the county force's top job.
His choice of preferred candidate follows a two-day selection process.
Current chief Jerry Graham will retire from his post by the end of March.
The next stage in the process is that, as required by regulations, the county's police and crime panel - which oversees Mr McCall's work - will hold a confirmatory hearing on Friday to assess Mrs Skeer’s suitability.
Following that the panel will make a recommendation to the commissioner about whether the appointment should be confirmed.
A start date would then be finalised.
Mrs Skeer - a former Carlisle detective - is currently the county's second most senior officer.
She has previously performed the role of chief constable in an acting capacity.
She has held roles including detective inspector in Carlisle, she has worked as the head of Carlisle CID and has overseen specialist units such as special branch.
Mrs Skeer is the leading officer nationally for the management of sexual offenders and violent offenders.
This role requires close working with a number of different agencies including the Home Office.
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