Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed how an improved policing service for communities has been driven forward in the last 12 months as Wiltshire Police’s Chief Constable marks one year since taking the helm. 

PCC Philip Wilkinson has said the introduction of robust, strategic, leadership from Chief Constable Catherine Roper is paying dividends but says they are both aware there is not a ‘quick fix’ to implementing or sustaining performance improvements.

Mr Wilkinson added more time – and attention on driving up standards around quality of investigations and sustaining the victim focus – was needed but that it was important to note the right steps are being taken in order the for the Force to truly say it is delivering ‘the best service’ it can.

He said Wiltshire Police had seen improvements across all areas as a result of Chief Roper’s appointment – including a clear strategic direction, new policies and systems to measure demand and monitor force performance alongside a clear focus on standards and an emphasis on service delivery.

And added he was confident Chief Roper’s plans will continue to deliver for communities including: greater visibility, and proactive engagement, from officers in communities, increased positive criminal justice outcomes, a refocus to concentrate on those crimes that matter and an improved trust and confidence picture.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Recruiting an experienced chief officer, from outside Wiltshire, was a conscious decision to drive the improvements Wiltshire Police needed, at a crucial point, so it could deliver the police service residents want – and deserve.

“One of the main positives from Chief Roper’s leadership is her ability to listen to her officers and staff, really hear what they are saying and implement change – quickly - to enable them to deliver a quality frontline policing service for their communities.

“There has been a noticeable change in the core policing service offer to our communities and a collective focus - from senior leaders to those in our neighbourhoods - to really engage with communities, tackle those crimes which matter most and to deliver the priorities within my police and crime plan.

“Wiltshire Police has many dedicated and hardworking officers, staff and volunteers and they are now being enabled and supported from the top down to focus on what they want to do– delivering a quality, frontline, policing service which delivers for its communities and to be the best they can be.”

Published Tuesday 27 February 2024