Craig Guildford named as preferred candidate to lead West Midlands Police

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster made the announcement following a rigorous selection process. During the assessment the candidates were grilled by a panel of young people from the region, stakeholders from partner agencies, staff and officer representatives and finally a formal interview with a panel chaired by the PCC.

Mr Foster said: “I am pleased to announce Craig Guildford as my preferred candidate to be the next chief constable of West Midlands Police. Craig Guildford will be responsible for working with me to deliver my Police and Crime Plan and my core pledge of rebuilding community policing. I also expect the incoming chief constable to reduce crime and drive recruitment to make West Midlands Police look more like the communities it serves.

“Appointing a chief constable is one of the most important decisions I will make whilst in office. Craig Guildford will be responsible for preventing and tackling crime so as to ensure the West Midlands is a safe and secure place for people to live and work. He is an outstanding police leader and I look forward to working closely with him.

“Sir David Thompson has been an excellent chief constable and will continue to lead the force into the Commonwealth Games and through to the end of the year. Sir David has modernised the force and had to grapple with the huge challenges of austerity and ever-changing threats to public safety.”

Craig Guildford QPM VR DL said: “I am delighted to be named as the preferred candidate to be the next chief constable of West Midlands Police. I am looking forward to working closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster to help deliver his plan to rebuild neighbourhood policing. I also can’t wait to get to know the communities of the West Midlands and to help make their streets safer.

“Chief Constable of West Midlands Police is one of the top policing jobs in the country, it is an honour to be put forward for the role. Sir David Thompson has been an excellent Chief Constable and I wish him well. After five years as chief constable of Nottinghamshire, I shall be sad to leave a force which has some outstanding Police officers and staff, but I am very much looking forward to this new challenge.”

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Sir David Thompson said: “I am delighted that Craig has been announced as the preferred candidate. He is an experienced and capable police leader who has much to offer the West Midlands.”

Sir David Thompson will lead the force through the Commonwealth Games until the end of the year, having started the role in 2016. An exact handover date will be announced after the Police and Crime Panel meets next month.

Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the PCC is responsible for appointing Chief Constables. Following the assessment, the PCC will shortly officially inform the Police and Crime Panel of the preferred candidate. The panel must consider the appointment within three weeks and hold a confirmation hearing in public. This is expected to take place on July 25.