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Dyfed-Powys Police

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Dyfed-Powys Police
Heddlu Dyfed-Powys
Agency overview
Formed1968; 56 years ago (1968)
Annual budget£115.5 million (2020/21)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionCeredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Powys unitary authority areas, UK
Map of Dyfed-Powys Police's jurisdiction
Size4,223 square miles (10,940 km2)
PopulationApprox 500,000
Legal jurisdictionEngland & Wales
Constituting instrument
General nature
Operational structure
Overseen by
HeadquartersCarmarthen
Police officers1,145 (plus 87 special constables) (2020)[2]
Police and Crime Commissioner responsible
Agency executive
Divisions4
Facilities
Stations45 as of 2011
Website
dyfed-powys.police.uk Edit this at Wikidata
RQ12653R

Dyfed-Powys Police (Welsh: Heddlu Dyfed-Powys; DPP) is the territorial police force in Wales policing Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire (which make up the former administrative area of Dyfed) and the unitary authority of Powys (covering Brecknockshire, Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire). The force was formed in 1968, with the merger of the Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Constabulary, the Pembrokeshire Constabulary and the Mid Wales Constabulary.[4]

The Dyfed–Powys region covers an area of 3,360 square miles (8,700 km2), with over 350 miles (560 km) of coastline. It includes many remote rural communities and a number of old industrial areas that are currently undergoing significant change and redevelopment. The population is under 500,000, although it is boosted each year with many tourist visitors.

The force's headquarters is in Carmarthen.

As of March 2020, the force had 1,145 police officers, 87 special constables, 143 police community support officers (PCSO), 55 police support volunteers (PSV), and 674 staff.[2]

Proposed merger

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On 6 February 2006, the Home Secretary Charles Clarke proposed to merge Dyfed–Powys Police with North Wales Police, South Wales Police and Gwent Police, to form one strategic force for all of Wales.[5] Fierce opposition to the proposed changes followed from many quarters during the summer of 2006. John Reid, the new Home Secretary from 5 May 2006, abandoned the proposed restructuring of the police service in England and Wales.

In March 2022, Chief Constable Richard Lewis suggested that the four Welsh police forces should merge within eight years. If it happened, it would make the third-largest police force in England and Wales, with more than 7400 police officers.[6]

Budget cuts

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In 2010, it was announced that most UK public services would be subject to budget cuts over the next five years. Dyfed–Powys Police is one of these public services faced with this problem and had to find savings of £34 million between 2010 and 2015, and £13 million in each subsequent year. Chief Constable Ian Arundale warned that there was going to be a "significant impact" on the front line.

Arundale said he accepted that cuts had to be made in the Dyfed–Powys force area and hoped to achieve this through natural wastage and voluntary redundancies.[7] However, in 2011 the police service announced the recruitment of 39 new officers, 18 Police Constables and 21 Special Constables, showing commitment to the communities it serves during difficult financial times.[8]

Special constabulary

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In late 2010/early 2011, Dyfed–Powys Police service restructured its special constabulary. This is the part-time volunteer section; its officers are known as special constables, all of whom hold the office of constable no matter what their rank, or informally as specials.[9]

The current special constabulary management structure is:

  • Special constabulary lead – A regular superintendent
  • Special constabulary co-ordinator
  • Special constabulary chief officer[10]
  • Special constabulary inspector; four inspectors, one per basic command unit (BCU)
  • Special constabulary sergeants; formerly section officers

Chief constables

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  • 1974 J Ronald Jones
  • 1975–1986 : Richard Thomas[11]
  • 1986–1989 : David Shattock
  • 1989–2000 : Ray White[12]
  • 2000–2007 : Terry Grange[13]
  • 2008–2012 : Ian Arundale[14]
  • 2012 : Jackie Roberts (temporary)
  • 2013–2016 : Simon Prince
  • 2016–2021 : Mark Collins
  • 2021: Claire Parmenter (temporary)[15]
  • 2021–present : Richard Lewis

In 2007, following a complaint, and during an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into financial irregularities, Chief Constable Terry Grange retired with immediate effect. Dyfed–Powys Police Authority said it had accepted with regret his retirement with immediate effect, adding that Grange "had indicated that he had allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role. This has led the police authority to consider the chief constable's position and it was considered to be appropriate to accept his retirement."[16] The IPCC continued its investigation after his retirement.[17] In newspapers of 25 November, it emerged that Grange was accused of letting his personal relationship with a judge interfere with the force's handling of child abuse claims against the judge – Grange was the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) spokesperson on child abuse issues.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/900017/police-funding-england-and-wales-2015-to-2021-hosb1620.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ a b "Data tables for 'Police workforce, England and Wales: 31 March 2020 third edition'". Home Office. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis". Dyfed–Powys Police. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Dyfed-Powys Police & Crime Commissioner".
  5. ^ All-Wales police force confirmed BBC News – 6 February 2006
  6. ^ "Dyfed-Powys Police chief wants one Welsh force". BBC News. 29 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Dyfed-Powys Police chief warns of major cuts impact". BBC News. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Dyfed Powys Police recruits 39 new officers". Tivyside Advertiser. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  9. ^ http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/join-the-police/special-constables Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Apply for Special Constable
  10. ^ http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/news/latest-news/201101/dyfed-powys-police-appoint-new-top-special Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine New Chief Special appointed
  11. ^ "Richard THOMAS : Obituary". BMDSOnline. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Retired top cop returns from Down Under to celebrate 50 years of Dyfed-Powys Police". Dyfed-Powys Police. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Former chief constable of Dyfed-Powys Police dies". Daily Post. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Dyfed-Powys Police chief constable Ian Arundale announces retirement after four years in post". Wales Online. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Departing chief constable of Dyfed-Powys Police believes the force is in "a really strong place"". Tenby Observer. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  16. ^ Mr. Terence Grange, Chief Constable, Dyfed–Powys Police Archived 21 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine Dyfed–Powys Police – 19 November 2007
  17. ^ Police chief retires amid inquiry BBC Wales – 19 November 2007
  18. ^ Retired police chief probed over abuse cover-up icWales/Western Mail – 24 November 2007
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