New chief constable of Swindon and Wiltshire starts role

Wiltshire Police is hosting a welcoming ceremony for Catherine Roper.

Catherine Roper with Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (right) and the Chair of the county's Police and Crime Panel
Author: Harry LongPublished 27th Feb 2023
Last updated 27th Feb 2023

The new Chief Constable of Swindon and Wiltshire will be unveiled in her new role today.

Wiltshire Police is hosting a welcoming ceremony for Catherine Roper this lunchtime, at its HQ in Devizes.

Near the top of her agenda will be getting the Force out of Special Measures.

She said: “It is an incredible honour to become the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, and I feel privileged to be leading a force so steeped in history.

“I am eager to work with my teams in the force, communities and partners to ensure we do all we can to deliver the highest level of service to the public, deliver the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan and keep Wiltshire safe.

“I am acutely aware of the trust and confidence issues across policing, and I am committed and determined to both supporting Wiltshire Police on its journey out of HMICFRS Engage, and ensuring that Wiltshire Police deliver the highest possible standards of policing across the board.

“I would like to thank Kier for his incredible commitment and handing over to me a policing service which is truly striving for excellence.’

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “I am delighted to welcome Chief Constable Roper to Wiltshire Police and look forward to working closely with her to ensure a safer Wiltshire for all who live and work here.

“I am confident CC Roper will further drive the necessary change already underway needed to ensure Wiltshire Police more than meets the required improvements highlighted in HMIC’s PEEL report. We are both extremely clear improving trust, confidence, standards and a delivering a policing service which the public want, and deserve, is of paramount importance.”

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