HMIC appoints assistant inspectors

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has appointed two new assistant inspectors of constabulary (AIC).

Olivia Pinkney, an assistant chief constable at Sussex Police, joined on a permanent basis on April 2, with Peter Spindler, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) commander in charge of specialist crime investigations, such as Operation Yewtree, starting his secondment on the same day.

They replace former AICs Vic Towell and Jo Kaye, who left HMIC at the end of last year. Detective Chief Superintendent Hamish Campbell will step in to Mr Spindler’s role as commander on a temporary basis while a permanent replacement is sought.

A member of both Surrey and Sussex Police’s chief officer teams, the lead for both forces on the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and responsible for the forces’ collaborations on major crime, firearms and scientific support, Ms Pinkney is also the national lead for migration and related matters for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The holder of a mathematics MA from the University of Cambridge, she began her policing career at Avon and Somerset Constabulary before moving to Sussex in 2009.

Mr Spindler joined the MPS in 1985 after graduating from the University of Warwick, working in South East London before joining the Regional Crime Squad in 1998. Promoted to detective superintendent two years later, he completed the Strategic Command Course in 2006 before becoming head of the MPS Professional Standards Department, moving to the specialist crime investigations department in August last year. He is also ACPO lead for family liaison and chairs Europol’s Homicide Working Group.

Tom Winsor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “I am pleased to welcome AICs Pinkney and Spindler to HMIC. They bring with them a wealth of current and operational policing experience, which will be invaluable in delivering HMIC’s commitment to the public to inspect and encourage improvement within the police service.”