Chief Constable Chris Rowley, 54, who has been in the role since April 2021, plans to end his 31-year plus career in March 2024.
The former Deputy Chief Constable of Humberside Police took over the top job in Lancashire on the retirement of Chief Constable Andy Rhodes.
Through his leadership, crime levels across Lancashire have fallen and in addition 612 new police officers have been recruited over the past three years.
The Chief Constable has specifically supported the Fighting Crime Plan priorities including the establishment of the ASB, Prevention and Problem-Solving Command which includes specialists in problem solving, civil enforcement, designing out crime, rural and business crime. The team, alongside neighbourhood officers has officers has delivered Op Centurion, which delivers many hours of additional police patrolling on the streets of Lancashire.
He has also established Operation Warrior, a force-wide approach to tackling Serious and Organised Criminality that is disrupting and dismantling criminal gangs who seek to exploit our communities. During his tenure, Chris has also redesigned the operating model of the force, with a view to improving the service to the public and the early indications from this new model are positive.
As Chief Constable his victim focussed approach to policing and a commitment to reducing demand on police service through ‘Right Care, Right Person’ has been exemplary and this approach is now being rolled out nationally.
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said “First and foremost I would like to thank Chris Rowley for everything he has achieved and delivered as Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary. He has driven forward the Fighting Crime Plan I launched in 2021, with determination, vigour and professionalism.
“Through his focus on fighting crime and protecting people, improving the service the public receive, working across the criminal justice sector to improve prosecution rates and ensuring local community policing is rebuilt and more visible – crime has significantly fallen in our County and Lancashire is a safer place thanks to Chris’s leadership.
Andrew continued “As Chief Constable, Chris has put in place the building blocks that myself and the public want to see – to ensure Lancashire is a Force that relentlessly pursues criminals, has an increasingly visible presence in our neighbourhoods, and has high standards of professionalism.
“I will be seeking to appoint a new Chief Constable who knows how to harness, prioritise and build on these foundations to deliver on the priorities set out in my Fighting Crime Plan.
“I want Lancashire Constabulary to have a reputation as the most pro-active, crime fighting force in the Country that relentlessly takes the fight to criminals, has a highly visible presence on our streets and who’s officers and staff are seen as figures of authority and respect – ultimately reducing the number of victims, making people feel safer and improving public confidence.”
Applications close noon Thursday 8th February 2024. the job advert can be found at https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/the-commissioner/the-office/vacancies/
Deputy Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett will exercise all the functions of the Chief Constable until a successor is appointed.
A new Chief Constable is expected to take up the post in summer 2024 for a fixed term post lasting five years.
