Cleveland Police confirm Richard Lewis as the next Chief Constable

Tyne Tees
Thursday 11 April 2019 at 2:03pm

Cleveland Police have confirmed their new Chief Constable as Richard Lewis.

The announcement follows a meeting of the county’s Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday. The force says Mr Lewis was selected following a 'rigorous recruitment and assessment process'.

Following a record seven applications, which were received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the position, three candidates were shortlisted.

Richard is currently the temporary Deputy Chief Constable at Dyfed Powys Police, where he has served for the entirety of his policing career so far.

His suitability for the role was tested during a two-day assessment process.

Chair of the all-party Police and Crime Panel, Cllr Norma Stephenson, said:

PCC Barry Coppinger said he was delighted to have appointed his preferred candidate:

Chief Constable Richard Lewis said:“I grew up in a steel town and feel the communities and people here are very familiar to me. I am beyond proud to have been selected to serve as Chief Constable and am committed to working for our communities over the long term. My focus now is Cleveland Police."

Mr Lewis will take up his post on Monday 29th April 2019.