Wiltshire Constabulary bids 'au revoir' to the Chief Constable

Dame Elizabeth pictured with Alan Weston (right) and Rod Law, driver-operators for the Bobby Van Trust.

The Chief Constable for Wiltshire, Dame Elizabeth Neville, departed the Force on Friday September 17, after more than seven years leading one of the country's highest performing and most innovative police forces.

'The Chief', as she is widely known, joined the Force as only the second woman chief constable, and the youngest in the rank at that time. She has focused the Constabulary's efforts on its aim of 'Keeping Wiltshire Safe' and indeed, Wiltshire is one of the safest counties in the country, with the second lowest crime rate in England. The Force is one of the top performers for almost every national performance indicator and has a national reputation for quality and innovation.

For example, the Chief worked with the Chiefs of the Fire and Ambulance services on a £7.7 million project to develop and construct one of only three tri-service control room in the country, to ensure the public receives the quickest and most appropriate emergency response.

Dame Elizabeth believes in partnership working and led a Forum of Chief Executives through the creation of local Crime and Disorder Partnerships. She also chairs the Local Criminal Justice Board, which works to improve criminal justice locally and set up the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, to ensure that victims receive access to all appropriate services through a single point of contact.

The Force shares its helicopter with the Ambulance Trust, the first of only three in the country with such a partnership. The helicopter contract is the only one in the country which is a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and was the first Police PFI of any kind to be delivered in the country. Another first was the setting up of the Bobby Van Trust, which helps elderly and vulnerable people who have been, or are at risk of being, victims of burglary in their homes. The service reduces the risk of their being further victimised and Dame Elizabeth, who launched the scheme, is now a trustee.

She has encouraged a more enlightened approach to diversity, for instance, tackling hate crime - particularly racist and homophobic incidents - through increased training of staff and encouraging a strong partnership approach and increased reporting. Dame Elizabeth has sought to maximise staff development and the Force has achieved Investors in People Status.

Seven years ago the Force had very little IT; however, it is now very advanced in this respect and a number of our computer systems are being used as national models. Some of the building stock was quite dilapidated. Seven new buildings opened in the last year, the most recent being the new Trowbridge Police Station this week and a new Divisional Headquarters in Swindon is currently under construction. The most recent report in 2004 by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) describes 'good estate management with successful partnership involvement that has enabled the Force to upgrade the police estate to support the operational strategy'.

The same report also describes Dame Elizabeth's leadership style as 'encouraging innovation, local empowerment and working practices that aim to maintain a satisfactory work/life balance'. Dame Elizabeth said: 'I am always impressed by the dedication, professionalism, initiative and commitment of our staff. Every day, they deal with testing, challenging and sometimes very unpleasant or frightening situations, ones which most of us are glad not to have to face. Every day, I receive letters from members of the public thanking me for the service they have received from our staff. People write because they know that what the officers and staff have done is out of the ordinary or more than they expected'.

'The staff of the Wiltshire Constabulary do what they do because they are committed to policing Wiltshire. I feel very privileged to have been their Chief Constable. I intend to continue working, but at a slightly more relaxed pace. I will still be doing some work in the public sector and also some work for local and national charities'.

Bertie Woolnough, Chair of Wiltshire Police Authority, said: 'During her period as Chief Constable, Miss Neville has provided excellent leadership and ensured that the performance of the Constabulary is one that is envied throughout the police service. She has been an outstanding ambassador of the Force, both in Wiltshire and nationally. I wish her every good fortune'.

Sir Maurice Johnston, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, has worked closely with Dame Elizabeth during her time as Chief Constable for Wiltshire. He said: 'I hope Wiltshire realises that the success of our Constabulary and its efficiency and dedication stems in no small part from the inspired leadership of Dame Elizabeth. She has, by any standards, done an outstanding job for us. I salute her'.

Dame Elizabeth lives in Devizes with her husband who runs a company doing retail and commercial property maintenance and refurbishment. She has a son of 20 at university, a daughter of 18 who has just finished school and two step children aged twelve and seven. She enjoys horse riding, walking, sailing, narrow boating, skiing, opera, theatre and travelling.