New police chief for Swindon

Wiltshire Police have announced the appointment of a new Divisional Commander for Swindon with Chief Superintendent Andy Tatam taking over from Chief Superintendent Patrick Stayt in June.

Chief Superintendent Stayt, who has been in charge of the Division since January 2003, is moving to a post outside Wiltshire. He is being seconded to the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales and will take up the position of Deputy National Secretary within the Association. The Superintendents' Association is the Staff Association for all Officers of Superintendent rank in England and Wales and he will be involved in the management of the Association as well as the influencing of Government policy on policing issues.

Chief Superintendent Tatam is taking over command in Swindon from his present post at Police Headquarters, Devizes. He has recently served as the Wiltshire Constabulary's Acting Assistant Chief Constable and was previously the Divisional Commander for the Salisbury Division of the Force.

Chief Superintendent Pat Stayt said; 'I am very sorry to be leaving the Swindon Division and the Wiltshire Constabulary, but the post I am taking up with the Superintendents' Association will present me with some unique and interesting challenges. I am greatly looking forward to becoming involved in policing issues at a national level and to being given the opportunity to influence the direction of policing in this country. I am very proud to have served as the Swindon Divisional Commander and to have been in charge of such a hard working, committed and able group of people'.

'Policing is a complex, demanding and often dangerous business and I have the utmost respect for the men and women who on a daily basis endeavour to deliver a policing service to our communities. I have greatly valued the support I have received from Partner Agencies in Swindon and I know that Chief Superintendent Tatam will be made welcome by them as he takes over'.

Chief Superintendent Tatam said, 'I am delighted to be leading the Swindon Division. I know the Swindon area benefits from strong performance with many people working together and committed to making Swindon safer. Many challenges remain. I shall continue the focus on hitting crime hard, particularly attacking local drugs markets. I am committed to providing a quality, local service which ensures the 'quality of life' issues are tackled with the help of local people. I'm looking forward to facing these challenges and working with the people of Swindon'.