ACC put in temporary charge of Wiltshire Police

Wiltshire Police has appointed a temporary chief constable after Mike Veale announced his transfer to another force. Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard will step into the chief constable role on March 5 for a period of 12 months. Mr Pritchard has served for 20 years with Wiltshire Police and currently oversees operational policing across the region. Wiltshire Police does not have a deputy chief constable as it removed the role along with its chief inspector positions in an attempt to flatten the rank structure. Mr Pritchard takes over the helm at the force after Mr Veale recently left to become chief constable of Cleveland Police. Police and crime commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “I have carefully considered what the next steps are for the future leadership of Wiltshire Police and it is important to ensure consistency and continuity. “Therefore, ACC Kier Pritchard will become temporary chief constable for a period of 12 months. This appointment is an interim measure and a formal recruitment process will begin later this year. “Kier is an experienced senior police officer and will provide stability, innovation and build upon excellent foundations. Wiltshire Police is an outstanding force with many strengths and I feel sure that we have the strong leadership in place to continue and maintain our excellent reputation.” Mr Pritchard’s appointment as an assistant chief constable in 2016 marked the first time the force had filled this role on a permanent basis in five years. He began his career in Wiltshire in 1993, and since then has served as head of protective services and as chief officer for the tri-force collaboration with Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Gloucestershire Constabulary. Mr Pritchard said: “We are blessed with outstanding officers, staff and volunteers across our organisation who achieve great things every day and who strive to provide an excellent service to all of our communities. “Now is the time to look forward and to continue, as we’ve always done, with our values and communities at the heart of everything we do.”