MPS commander preferred candidate for next chief constable of Wiltshire Police

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson said he was impressed by the “breadth of policing experience being bought to the county”.

“After a comprehensive selection process I am delighted to announce Catherine as my preferred candidate for Wiltshire Police’s next chief constable,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“Catherine is an exceptionally strong candidate and brings with her decades of experience within challenging policing environments alongside a different perspective and view to police delivery in the county. I am extremely pleased she has chosen Wiltshire to continue her successful policing career.

“I believe Catherine will be an inspirational leader. She has a track record of delivering a high-performing police function, fighting crime but also working closely with local authorities and partner agencies to drive change and ensure Wiltshire Police delivers a quality policing service that our residents want and deserve.

“I look forward to working closely with her as we both strive towards the goal of making Wiltshire safer.”

This appointment comes after Chief Constable Kier Pritchard announced in November that he would be retiring after 30 years in policing in June 2023.

Mr Wilkinson said the “rigorous selection process” included sessions with two stakeholder panels – one made up of officers and staff within Wiltshire Police, and an external stakeholder panel with representatives from his office’s partners, charities and commissioned services, as well as members of his Youth Commission.

Commander Roper also impressed the interview panel, which featured Chief Constable Andy Marsh, chief executive of the College of Policing, Matt Parr, His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire Services, as well as the PCC and two other independent panel members.

The appointment of Commander Roper is now subject to confirmation by Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Panel, with a hearing expected to take place on January 12.

Commander Roper joined the MPS in 2000 and began her career in frontline policing. Her progression has seen her take several high-profile roles, including within specialist intelligence and surveillance command.

She has also worked within the Specialist Protection Command, responsible for the armed protection of politicians and high-profile VIPs and also spent time in Royalty Protection, responsible for armed protection of the Royal Family.

In 2022, Commander Roper was made responsible for Central Specialist Crime, which includes tackling the most serious organised criminality, including economic and cybercrime, modern slavery and organised immigration crime, online child sexual exploitation, kidnaps and the Flying Squad, in addition to a range of high-profile, complex and sensitive investigations.

In addition to her MPS responsibilities, Commander Roper holds the National Child and Young Person (CYP) portfolio, and is a post-incident manager for firearms incidents, as well as previously being a strategic firearms commander.

She said: “I am honoured and delighted to be selected as the PCC’s preferred candidate to be the chief constable of Wiltshire Police.

“I am committed to working with the communities and partners of Wiltshire and Swindon to provide the best possible policing service, building on Kier Pritchard’s exceptional dedication.

“I very much look forward to working with the officers and staff of Wiltshire Police, together with the PCC Philip Wilkinson and his team.”

Mr Wilkinson said Commander Roper was chosen as his preferred candidate following “an intensive formal application and interview process, in accordance with national regulations”.