Cheshire PCC pays tribute to chief constable

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire, John Dwyer, has praised Chief Constable Dave Whatton following his decision to retire.

Mr Whatton will retire when his contract expires after serving 30 years in the police.

Mr Dwyer said: “I enjoy a professional and productive relationship with Dave Whatton and while I respect his wishes to retire from policing, I would happily have extended his contract if he had so wished.

“The transition from the old police authority to PCC model of police governance could not have been easy, but David took on this challenge positively and we have made some difficult decisions together.

“As I am responsible for hiring the next chief constable, work is already underway to begin this process which itself will not be an easy task.

“These are big shoes to fill. I wish Dave all the best in his retirement.”

Mr Whatton joined Cheshire Constabulary in December 2008. He was previously deputy chief constable at Greater Manchester Police.

Prior to that, Mr Whatton worked as assistant chief constable (ACC) at West Midlands Police, firstly as ACC resources, then in 2003 as ACC crime operation.

After Joining West Midlands Police in 1983, Mr Whatton served in a variety of uniformed and detective posts, including as a detective inspector on the Regional and National Crime Squad.

In 1998 he was promoted to the rank of superintendent, “leap frogging” the rank of chief inspector.

He holds an MSc in Public Sector Management and a postgraduate diploma in criminology.