Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Panel has formally confirmed Jane Sawyers as the new Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.
Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, chose Mrs Sawyers for the post following a rigorous selection process.
The panel questioned Mr Ellis and Mrs Sawyers yesterday (Mon) before confirming the PCC’s decision. Mrs Sawyers will take on the permanent role for a three-year term having served as temporary Chief Constable since August 2014.
Mr Ellis said: “Jane Sawyers has performed well as interim Chief Constable. It is clear to me she has the attributes needed to be an effective Chief Constable, particularly at a time of such fast-moving change in Staffordshire Police.
“It is also a tremendous bonus that we have established a good and effective working relationship with broad agreement on how we want to see policing evolve and improve across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“Staffordshire is in a strong position, possibly best placed nationally, for the future and strong leadership will continue to be needed operationally within the police here to deliver the game-changing level of transformation that we have set out over the next few years.
“Jane Sawyers is the right person to do that and I am pleased that the Police and Crime Panel gave their backing when we met.”
Chief Constable Jane Sawyers added: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police. I have worked my entire career in Staffordshire and am dedicated to serving the people of the county.
“As well as facing financial challenges, the nature and complexity of crime is changing and I am determined to make sure the force remains in a position to effectively respond to these challenges.
“I am also excited by the opportunities ahead. I am committed to protecting and improving the frontline and our developments in digital policing will see neighbourhood policing officers freed up to spend more time in the communities they serve.
“I will also look to continue working with our partners to deliver the best possible service to the communities of Staffordshire.”
The Commissioner set out the selection process including inviting pre-selection applications, questioning by leaders from local authorities in Staffordshire and a professional competency assessment.
The process concluded with a formal panel interview where the Commissioner invited Staffordshire’s Lord Lieutenant, the former Chair of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Children Boards, the Chief Executive of the National College of Policing and the Commissioner’s Chief of Staff to join him in questioning Mrs Sawyers.
There was also independent specialist technical support from the Head of Human Resources for Staffordshire County Council. She produced an independent report on the process, and Mrs Sawyers’ performance, that the Police and Crime Panel used to inform their decision.
Click here to read the Police and Crime Panels recommendation letter
