A new appointment has been made at the office of Durham's Police Crime and Victims' Commissioner (PCVC) following Ron Hogg's motor neurone disease diagnosis.
In September, Ron Hogg asked council bosses to appoint an acting PCVC while he battled with ill health before it was confirmed he was being treated for the condition.
PCVC chief executive Steve White was appointed acting PCVC by the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Panel the same month.
On Thursday, Jon Carling, the PCVC's current head of policy and communications, won backing to take up the role of acting chief executive.
Acting PCVC, Steve White, presented the nomination to the police and crime panel at Durham County Hall.
He told the meeting:"The chief executive role is very important and now things have moved on and I'm acting commissioner, it's important that the panel and the general public at large have confidence that there are checks and balances in place.
"That's a key role for the acting chief executive, particularly when it comes to the role of monitoring officer."
He added: "Clearly I needed to get someone in place relatively quickly so there could be a seamless continuation of service and work, particularly at this time of year which is a critical time for policing.
"Not just because of the budget cycle we have to deal with but the significant change in direction of policy from the current government when it comes to policing.
"We needed to make sure that the people of Durham and Darlington get their fair share of uplift from the government and my role as acting PCVC and the role of the office is going to play a key part.
"I needed to make sure that the office was fit for purpose in order to deliver that."
According to a report for the committee, the chief executive is expected to be 'chief adviser on all matters' to the PCVC.
This includes responsibility for the PCVC's £1 million annual 'core budget' and advising on the setting of Durham Constabulary's £113 million budget.
In response to questions from councillors on the panel, nominee Jon Carling outlined his suitability for the role.
This included chief executive positions in the charity sector and Commission for Rural Communities, a national body giving advice to government on rural matters.
Other assets included drafting policies, communications and management experience and working alongside politicians at a local, regional and national level.
The police and crime panel is made up of councillors from Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council.
Following private discussion, the panel gave the green light to the acting chief executive bid.
Speaking after the meeting, Jon Carling said: "I'm very pleased to have been confirmed in this position by the panel.
"I can't avoid the unfortunate circumstances that have led to this and I wish all the best to Ron Hogg.
"We have an excellent team of people in the PCVC's office and I look forward to working closely with acting PCVC Steve White and the panel over the next few months."
Ron Hogg was elected Durham's first ever police and crime commissioner for the Labour Party in 2012 and has been been a vocal supporter of reforms to drug laws in the UK.
Before taking up the role, Mr Hogg had a long career in policing in the North East.
This included roles as assistant chief constable in Durham and deputy chief constable in Cleveland before his retirement in 2008.
A new PCVC is expected to be elected to the post in May next year.
