First all-Wales Deputy Chief Constable appointed

Bob Evans (pictured) has been appointed to the new post of all-Wales Deputy Chief Constable. His role will be to assist the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables in Wales to explore and develop the potential for collaboration. Mr Evans takes up his position on 1 April.

Alun Michael, Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales and Chair of the all Wales Policing Group, said, “This is a very welcome development in enabling the Welsh forces to collaborate together and with others in order to improve the service for the communities of Wales. The four Commissioners in Wales have joined to support the devolution of policing to Welsh Government and with Chief Constables and have agreed to work together to plan for that eventuality.

“As well as collaboration between police forces, Bob Evans will also be looking at opportunities for more effective joint working with forces and other devolved and non-devolved public bodies.

“The Future Generations Act requires public bodies in Wales to identify areas where they can work together to provide services to the people of Wales, and that is something we welcome.”

Bob Evans was most recently the Assistant Chief Constable, Police Adviser to the UK National Offender Management Service and UK Head of Profession for Police Prison Intelligence. He was seconded from his home force of South Wales Police. Mr Evans has vast experience across all areas of policing – both from an operational perspective and in various strategic roles including at the UK National Offender Management Service and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Mr Evans will also assist the Commissioners and Chief Constables to develop ways of dealing with such matters as the potential implications for governance, inspection, complaints and joint work to combat organised crime and terrorism.

Mr Evans, who was awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal in 2010, said, “I am immensely proud to have been given this opportunity as the first all-Wales Deputy Chief Constable and I am looking forward to working with Commissioners and Chief Constables up and down the country to enhance policing services for the people of Wales.”