Surrey Police Chief Constable set to leave force
Gavin Stephens joined Surrey Police in 1996
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens will be leaving Surrey Police to take up a national policing position, after 3 years as Chief Constable with the force.
Mr Stephens has been elected as the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), but will remain as Surrey Police Chief Constable until Spring 2023.
Gavin will be taking over at the NPCC from current chair Martin Hewitt QPM. The NPCC brings forces together from across the UK to improve policing.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens joined Surrey Police in 1996 and has served at every rank since that time.
After becoming Chief Constable in April 2019, he has led the force through many challenges, including the Coronavirus pandemic.
He has worked in Neighbourhood Policing, Serious Organised Crime, Professional Standards, and other areas within the force.
As a result of Mr Stephen's national efforts to develop neighbourhood policing, Surrey Police has receiving outstanding gradings for preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as national awards for problem solving.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve the communities of Surrey for most of my policing career. It is a fantastic county with passionate and supportive communities who I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside at every stage.
“I will be sad to leave the Force and all our outstanding officers and staff and volunteers, but I am honoured to have been selected for this position.
“Policing is responding to some of the biggest challenges it has faced in years and I will use the passion and motivation I have for policing in order to reduce crime, get justice for victims and earn the trust necessary to support policing by consent.
“Throughout my time at Surrey Police I have been committed to keeping the force focused on what matters most to our communities. I will continue to keep the public at the heart of everything I do as I work with colleagues to address some of these pressing challenges.
“The public’s needs and expectations of policing continue to change, and it’s critical we continue to adapt to keep people safe and feeling safe. I look forward to building on the fantastic work already carried out by colleagues in the years to come.”