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New Gwent Police Chief Constable to be confirmed

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 11:40, Monday July 29th, 2019.

Temporary Chief Constable Pam Kelly

The new Chief Constable of Gwent Police is to be confirmed at a Police and Crime Panel meeting on Monday, August 12.

Deputy Chief Constable Pam Kelly took the top job on a temporary basis in June this year when former Chief Constable Julian Williams retired.

Ms Kelly, who joined as Deputy Chief Constable in 2017, has been put forward as the permanent replacement by Gwent Police Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert.

The Gwent Police and Crime Panel, which is made up of councillors from across Gwent’s local authorities, will meet at County Hall in Usk on August 12 to confirm the appointment. The meeting will be broadcast live on gwentpcp.org.uk.

Ms Kelly began her policing career as a volunteer in the Special Constabulary, before becoming a regular officer at Dydyd Powys Police in 1994. She has spent much of her career working in the Criminal Investigation Department, dealing with covert policing, public protection and professional standards.

Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert
Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert

Meanwhile, Mr Cuthbert has welcomed new Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to boost police numbers by 20,000.

The former Labour Assembly Member for Caerphilly, said: “This week’s announcement by Mr Johnson is good news in principle, but the devil is in the detail.

“Since I first came into office, my fellow Police and Crime Commissioners and I have been campaigning for UK Government to increase funding for our police services and reduce pressure on local communities.

“Here in Gwent, our budget has been reduced by 40% in real terms since the start of the UK Government’s austerity programme in 2010/11.

“This has meant I have had no option but to make almost £50 million in cashable efficiencies and turn to the public for support by increasing the local precept level.

“It is because of their continued support that we have been able to recruit more than 400 police officers since 2016, of which almost 150 are new policing posts.

“They are helping to tackle crimes in specialist areas, protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

Mr Cuthbert added: “However, with the ever-growing cost of living, we cannot solely rely on local council tax payers to sustain this. Serious investment by UK Government is essential.

“I hope very much that these additional officers will be funded by new money from the UK Government, rather than the cost burden being placed on the hard pressed council tax payers again.

“My fellow PCCs and I now await, with interest, how Mr Johnson plans to deliver this promise.

“I just hope the new PM isn’t playing politics with policing.”

Gwent Police

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