All change at the top at Wiltshire and Hampshire Police
Both county's Chief Constables have left their posts
Last updated 26th Feb 2023
Wiltshire and Hampshire Police have seen their Chief Constables leave their post this week.
Kier Pritchard steps down from the Wiltshire force today (Sunday 26th February) after 30 years of service.
Earlier this week, Hampshire's top cop, Olivia Pinkney also hung up her uniform.
Wiltshire changes
Mr Pritchard has been in post as Wiltshire's Chief since 5th March 2018 - the day the Salisbury Novichok major incident was declared.
He's become one of the county's longest serving Chief Constables, and joined the force as a 19 year old.
Reflecting on his career, Kier Pritchard said:
“To have had the opportunity to lead the Force that I have dedicated my entire professional career to, has been the greatest privilege.
“Right from joining as a new recruit in my teens to now, I have always found policing to be equal parts challenging and rewarding.
“Policing, by its very nature, is constantly evolving to keep pace with new and emerging demand but the core values have always remained the same for me – to serve and protect with compassion and integrity.”
Over the last year, Wiltshire Police has come under fire though, with the force currently sitting in special measures. He said:
“Whilst I cannot shy away from the challenges the Force is facing and the improvements we need to make, I remain immensely proud of all of the officers, staff and volunteers at Wiltshire Police whose unrelenting dedication to public service is inspiring.
“I am confident that the path the Force is now on will see necessary improvements made and ultimately result in a better quality of service to our communities in Wiltshire.
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, our fantastic communities across the county and my family.”
Wiltshire’s new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, will formally take over tomorrow (Monday 27th February).
Chief Constable Pritchard will move, on attachment, to the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), before retiring from policing completely in June.
Hampshire welcomes new Chief
Just a matter of days ago, Hampshire's Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney left her role too.
She tweeted about her final day with the force:
She's been succeeded by Chief Constable Scott Chilton, who's been described as Hampshire's first 'hone grown' top officer.
He began his policing career as an 18 year old in the county and has 31 years of experience.
CC Chilton said:
“Having strong relationships with our local communities is the bedrock of policing. We know that people want to feel connected with their local teams and to feel safe. I share that view.
“This means relentlessly pursuing those who commit crime and bring harm and misery to communities, providing first class investigations to ensure those responsible face the consequences of their actions, with kindness and compassion being at the heart of our response to victims.
“As well as being your Chief Constable, I am also a resident of Hampshire, with many of my family and friends living here too. So both personally and professionally, I have the same expectations as you and I am committed to making sure that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is safe for everyone.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said:
“I am delighted to welcome Scott Chilton as the new chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. Scott has extensive experience as a senior police officer, having already been a chief in Dorset, and I am really pleased to be welcoming him back to his home force to lead the constabulary into a new era.
“Scott and I have a shared vision for policing and it starts with strengthening and developing neighbourhood policing. As Commissioner and with Scott’s support, I have already committed to reintroducing named local bobbies for every community by April 2024. Together we want to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the safest places to live, work and visit, supported by strong, traditional local policing teams which connect and support communities to reduce crime.
“As Commissioner, I know that driving down the crimes that matter the most to the public, increasing police visibility in neighbourhoods, and creating a force that is tough on crime to bring offenders to justice is what the public rightly expect, and I am confident Scott will lead the constabulary with these ambitions at the very core of his leadership.”