New Interim Deputy Chief Constable appointed

We’re pleased to announce Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint has been appointed as our new Interim Deputy Chief Constable.

DCC Barrow-Grint joined Thames Valley Police in 2000 and has worked in a variety of roles including in Response, CID, Covert Policing and Neighbourhood Policing.

As a senior officer she has been Commander of Oxfordshire Local Policing area, and as Assistant Chief Constable she currently oversees Crime, Intelligence, Forensics, Criminal Justice and Custody and Public Protection and Safeguarding for the force.

Most recently, she has led Thames Valley Police’s work tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, and has an academic interest in Domestic Abuse, writing and researching on the topic.

DCC Barrow-Grint will start in post on Monday 11 November.

Announcing the appointment, Interim Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: “The post of Deputy Chief Constable is a pivotal one, overseeing performance improvement, planning, financial management, conduct and disciplinary issues. The Deputy also has a leading role to play in managing risk, maintaining standards and promoting the Code of Ethics.

“The position has been vacant since January with the DCC’s responsibilities divided up between other Chief Officers and filling the vacancy was one of my first priorities when I started.

“The appointment of an Interim DCC will further provide the organisation with stability and ensure we meet our statutory remit. I am confident this decisive action will consolidate the excellent executive leadership team already in place and provide reassurance to the communities we serve.”

CC Blyth added: “I am pleased to say there were five high quality candidates who put themselves forward for the role. This demonstrates what an attractive place Gloucestershire Police is to work and I’d like to thank them all for their interest in joining us.”

DCC Barrow-Grint said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Gloucestershire Constabulary as the Interim Deputy Chief Constable.

“Having spent lots of my life visiting family in the county, I know what a brilliant place it is and I am privileged to now be able to become part of the policing family serving its residents.

“I look forward to meeting my new colleagues and getting out into the communities of Gloucestershire over the coming weeks.”

DCC Barrow-Grint’s appointment is currently on an interim basis and an advert to recruit a permanent Deputy Chief Constable will be posted soon.