Forces first female chief constable chosen
The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has named his preferred candidate to become the new chief constable for Hampshire Constabulary.
The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has named his preferred candidate to become the new chief constable for Hampshire Constabulary.
Olivia Pinkney will appear before a confirmation hearing of the areas police and crime panel on March 11 after PCC Simon Hayes announced the Sussex deputy chief constable as the replacement for Andy Marsh who left to lead Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
My Hayes said he made his decision following a rigorous recruitment process involving senior community stakeholders and partners from 18 organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as well as a two-day interview with two final candidates.
He said: Olivia was an incredibly strong candidate and will bring a wealth of operational experience and strategic leadership to the chief constable role. I am confident that this robust recruitment process has helped me to identify the right individual to lead Hampshire Constabulary through the continued times of austerity and changing policing landscape in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Ms Pinkney has been Sussex Police deputy chief constable since March 2014 and has led the strategic and organisational change programme Sussex Police 2020 to meet the financial challenges to achieve £60 million savings.
In a statement Mr Hayes said she is key member of the chief officer team and has a strong focus on visibility and accessibility to staff and local communities.
Ms Pinkney is also the national policing lead for Children and Young People and has spearheaded the launch of Operation Kite in Sussex to address child sexual exploitation.
Previous to her current role, she was assistant inspector for Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary. She was also assistant chief constable for both Sussex and Surrey Police for two years, establishing a significant operational collaboration.
She was awarded the Queens Police Medal in this years New Year Honours.
Ms Pinkney commented: Hampshire Constabulary is a brilliant force with great people serving all of the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I am delighted to have been selected as the preferred candidate, and it will be an honour to have the opportunity of serving alongside them.