Michelle Skeer appointed interim Chief HMIC following imminent retirement of Andy Cooke

Michelle Skeer has been designated as interim chief inspector by the Home Secretary, following an expression-of-interest process open to serving His Majesty’s Inspectors. She will take up the post on 1 April 2026. Michelle will be the first woman to hold the position of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary… She succeeds Sir Andy Cooke, who leaves office in March 2026. The appointment process for a permanent chief inspector is being managed by the Home Office.  ...

Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith set to leave Warwickshire for private sector

In a statement this week, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith said he had opted to pursue new opportunities outside the service after serving as chief for 18 months. Reflecting on a career that saw him work at Surrey Police, West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, together with a secondment to the… The outgoing chief spent more than two decades in policing, including 19 years with Warwickshire Police....

Temporary Chief Constable Darren Martland is preferred candidate says PCC

After a brief retirement from policing, T/CC Martland lectured to undergraduates studying for a BSc. in Professional Policing and returned to Cumbria in July 2023 as the Deputy Chief Constable. He started his policing career in Merseyside Police in 1990, working in a number of uniform operational roles in both… After stints in Merseyside, Cheshire and Cumbria, Darren Martland was a univeristy lecturer before coming out of retirement and rejoining his last force in July 2023....

West Mercia announce Carl Williams as its new ACC

In a statement, West Mercia Police said ACC Williams had been the successful candidate after a comprehensive recruitment process. He began his career in 2006, and has a background that includes leadership across neighbourhood policing, specialist operations, strategic command, and national policing functions. His previous roles have included Chief Superintendent… The force said Dr Carl Williams currently serves with Gwent Police and will bring with him two decades of "varied and distinguished" policing experience....

Ministry of Defence Police's new chief constable confirmed

Mr Pritchard joined the Ministry of Defence Police (MPD) in September 2023 as Deputy Chief Constable, after working with Wiltshire Police, and in September 2025 he stepped into the role of Interim Chief Constable. He has already made a significant impact, emphasising the critical importance of the MDP amid an… Kier Pritchard's appointment to the post was confirmed by Lucy Bogue, Director SJC GUARDIAN after an open selection process....

'I was doing the ironing when I got the call about the Huntingdon attack... then I switched on'

November 1, 2025. CC Megicks is at home ironing, and beginning to contemplate what the rest of his night might have in store. Then he gets the call from a commander. Moments earlier, an attacker made their way through an LNER train shortly after it left Peterborough station, destined for… Here, Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Chief Constable, Simon Megicks, discusses with Police Oracle how policing has helped shape his life, the experience of rising to the region's top policing post and what the future looks like....

ROCU is developing talent in technical specialist roles through using interns

The Yorkshire and Humber ROCU runs an internship programme where suitably skilled computer science graduates are chosen through an annual competition. Interns are attached to the Technical Development Unit (TDU) to work alongside permanent personnel and encouraged to use cutting-edge technology in tackling Serious Organised Crime (SOC). TDU personnel have… More than 50 per cent of the interns employed by the ROCU have gone on to have full time roles in the techncial unit dealing with SOC. ...

Too many officers in staff roles as price of 'uplift' bites into workforce balance

There are at least three police forces in ‘dire financial distress’ but there are still options left before they need to issue Section 114 notices  – which mean they are effectively bankrupt – including shifting even more officers into staff roles and making redundancies. This was the message on police… The focus on officer numbers is not giving forces the balanced work force they need in ICT, data analysis and other specialisms....

Cambridgeshire Constabulary's new CC begins bid to 'continue' legacy of predecessor

CC Megicks, 54, began his career at Cambrideshire Constabulary in 1996, and is believed to be the only officer to have started their career at the force before making the rank of chief constable in recent history. He began working in local policing, public protection and corporate services before undertaking… The force's Chief Constable Simon Megicks started his new post on Sunday, taking on the position from Nick Dean who stepped down after seven years....

Preferred Dyfed-Powys chief constable candidate announced

The decision comes after a three-day interview process taking place at the force’s headquarters. DCC Charles joined Dyfed-Powys Police in 2004. During his career, he has held various roles across CID and uniformed policing in all four counties, advancing through different ranks. In 2022, he completed the Senior Police National… Following former Chief Constable Richard Lewis’ resignation earlier in 2025, DCC Ifan Charles has been acting up as Temporary Chief Constable....