New Chief Constable starts as he means to go on

Dyfed-Powys Police’s new Chief Constable, Dr Richard Lewis, marks his return to force with a Saturday nightshift back on the streets of Aberystwyth, where he first began his policing career.

Announced as Police & Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn’s preferred candidate to lead the force following the retirement of Mark Collins earlier this year, Dr Lewis has served as the Chief Constable in Cleveland since April 2019.

Originally from Carmarthenshire, his career in the police service started in 2000. During his 18 years in Dyfed-Powys Police he served in every rank up to Deputy Chief Constable, working in all four counties in the force. He has also been the head of the professional standards department and chaired the Wales Counter Corruption Working Group.

Speaking ahead of his return home, Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis shared a message with the organisation about his intentions for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the importance of giving our communities and the workforce a voice in shaping those plans for the future.

He said:

“Since my appointment, I’ve heard so many tell me that there’s no reason why Dyfed-Powys Police can’t be an outstanding organisation and public service for our communities - I couldn’t agree more, but the time has come to stop asserting what we could be, and push on harder to always improve. The first step to doing so is to consult on priorities, and I will do this during my first 100 days; not forgetting that we must also work to deliver the PCCs Police & Crime Plan, in itself develop through consultation with our communities.

“My aim in spending my first shift back in force, out on the streets with our frontline colleagues is because I want to see it as it is and hear it as it is. I want the truth and I want challenge.”

The Chief’s plan to consult both within and outside of the organisation takes him through until late March, at which point the hoped-for rich picture of where Dyfed-Powys Police goes next and the plan to deliver the vision will be put into place.

Dr Lewis continued:

“Once we agree on priorities, we will relentlessly pursue them as a single team, with clarity and focus. Prioritising some things means admitting that other things, whilst important, are not top of our agenda.

“However, consulting cannot mean that our work grinds to a halt in the meantime - the rhythm of an organisation requires work to continue apace.

“When we’ve set our priorities and decided how we will measure progress, we will not set targets but simply aim to be better every single day. We will not define ourselves against the results of others, but aim to continuously improve.”

A programme is being put in place to ensure that the opportunity is available to all to contribute to the conversation. Information will be circulated via local media and on our social media channels.

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