Northumbria Police’s new Chief Constable – Winton Keenen
26th March 2018
The Northumbria Police and Crime Panel has confirmed the appointment of Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird’s preferred candidate, Mr Winton Keenen, to be the new Chief Constable of Northumbria Police.
The Panel conducted a confirmation hearing attended by Mr Keenen and Dame Vera Baird on Monday, 26 March 2018.
Chief Constable Keenen will take up the role immediately.
The Chair of the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel Councillor Angela Douglas said: “It is clear that the new Chief Constable underwent a thorough, rigorous process to become Chief Constable. The Panel process worked really well, with a good level of interest in the role and the Panel’s decision was unanimous and we are looking forward to working with the new Chief Constable and the Commissioner in making Northumbria an even safer place to live and work”.
Commenting on the Panel’s endorsement Dame Vera said: “I am delighted that the Panel has approved my decision to appoint Mr Keenen as the next Chief Constable for Northumbria. Mr Keenen knows the communities of Northumbria and he has many years of exceptional policing experience which will continue to pay dividends in his role as Chief Constable. The Chief Constable has worked hard to improve policing right across the force area – I know he will continue this drive in his new role. The Panel clearly saw the merits and skills that Mr Keenen will bring to the role. This is a new era for our force and our new Chief Constable is proud to serve Northumbria. I have every confidence in his capabilities to lead Northumbria Police and I look forward to working with him to deliver the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan”.
Northumbria Chief Constable Winton Keenen said: “Northumbria is my home and I am honoured to have been appointed as Chief Constable of Northumbria Police. We have a great team of officers and staff who are making a real difference and I want to work with them to build on their successes and deliver the best policing possible for the communities we serve. Dame Vera has set her vision out in the Police and Crime Plan, our job is to deliver that vision and I am determined to do this. Policing continues to face many challenges but the entire team in Northumbria are up for the task and I look forward to being part of this”
Mr Keenen joined Northumbria in 1985 as a police officer, became Assistant Chief Constable in 2014 and became Deputy in 2015.
The Police and Crime Panel report confirming the appointment of Mr Winton Keenen can be found here Report and recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner on Chief Constable appointment
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