NPAS welcomes new chief operating officer

She will take over from Chief Superintendent Vicki White who is retiring after 30 years of service to policing.

Chief Supt Gaffney will also take on the role of NPAS accountable manager once approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the interim, NPAS head of business services Glenn Shelley will take on the temporary position.

Chief Supt Gaffney is an officer at West Yorkshire Police officer and brings with her a “wealth of operational experience, strategic leadership and a commitment to public service”. Her policing career began in 1995 with the Royal Military Police, where she served in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Since then, her career has spanned multiple forces and specialist roles.

“I am delighted to be joining NPAS,” Chief Supt Gaffney said.

“I’m really looking forward to supporting the teams in delivering their operational response, while also understanding how technology might help us get better. I also look forward to spending time out at the bases and in departments, understanding the opportunities and challenges in the world of police aviation.”

Her recent role saw her managing complex budgets, national portfolios and high-level collaborations – experience that NPAS says will be “invaluable” as it continues to evolve and modernise.

NPAS said: “As we welcome Fiona, we also extend our thanks and best wishes to Chief Superintendent Vicki White, who retires after three decades of dedicated service to policing.

“Vicki’s leadership and commitment to police air support has led the service through some major developments, not least the ongoing  implementation of a multi-million pound fleet replacement programme.”

Chief Supt White said: “It’s been a privilege to serve as accountable manager,” Vicki said. “I’m incredibly proud of what the service, and people who deliver it, achieve every day.

“It truly is life-saving stuff and they make a real difference to the safety and security of our communities and our emergency services colleagues.”