Wiltshire's new Chief Constable will be Mike Veale, the present deputy chief constable.

There were no other candidates interviewed for the post.

The announcement, which is subject to confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel, enhanced security vetting and a satisfactory medical examination, was made today by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson.

If Mr Veale’s appointment is confirmed by the panel at a special meeting on Monday, he will become the Chief Constable on Monday 1 June. He will succeed Pat Geenty, who announced in February his wish to retire.

Mr Veale was interviewed by a panel chaired by Mr Macpherson and made up of Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott , Swindon Borough Council cief executive Gavin Jones, Wiltshire Community Foundation chief executive Rosemary Macdonald and Geoff Pears, an independent human resources specialist approved by the Home Office. The process was observed by Kieran Kilgallen (Chief Executive, Office of the PCC).

Mr Macpherson said: “Because there was only one candidate for the post, our high-calibre and independent panel really put Mike Veale through his paces and he absolutely rose to the challenge.

“He was given one hour to prepare a presentation on how he would deliver my revised Police and Crime Plan against a tough financial background. He had no prior knowledge of the topic. The panel agreed that he covered the ground confidently and thoughtfully.

“The interview itself lasted two hours and he was questioned closely on every aspect of modern policing.

“I have every confidence that he will make an excellent Chief Constable for Wiltshire. He understands Wiltshire and Swindon and has been at the heart of developing strong relationships with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council and with our colleagues in Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

“He is committed to my agenda of maintaining local policing.

“In his interview, Mike Veale demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of British policing, with integrity, fairness and public service at the core.” 
 
Mr Veale has been the DCC at Wiltshire Police since March 2013, having joined the Force in January 2005 as a Detective Superintendent from Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled at being appointed, subject to confirmation, as the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.

“During the past ten years I have loved every minute of serving the public of Wiltshire and Swindon and I am incredibly proud that this Force is one of the top performing forces in the country.

“The legacy that Chief Constable Pat Geenty is leaving behind is that Wiltshire Police is in the great position of being able to withstand austerity and continue to provide a good service to the public.

“The priorities for the coming months are to maintain that success and continue our tranformation programnme, in particular our strategic partnership with the two local authorities, and our strategic alliance with Avon and Somerset.

“If I am confirmed in the post I will be taking over a Force with a strong reputation, high standards, a clear set of values and talented officers and staff. I want to build upon all of this good work.

“Like all police forces, Wiltshire Police is facing major austerity challenges as well as an increased demand for local services. Therefore, I want to ensure that we are thinking laterally and radically about how we can save money, whilst working hard to protect frontline resources.” 

Mr Veale grew up in Chilcompton and Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

He began his policing career as a police cadet aged 16 before joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary as a constable in 1984.

He spent his early service in various roles within uniform and CID before becoming Chief Inspector Operations within inner city Bristol and later serving as Detective Chief Inspector in Somerset.

In January 2005 he was promoted to Detective Superintendent and transferred to Wiltshire Police. In the same year he was promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent as Head of CID.

He then led a programme to amalgamate HQ CID with the Force operations department to create a Protective Services Command.

In 2009 he was appointed temporary assistant chief constable for ten months. He then took up the post of divisional commander for before going on to complete the strategic command course in 2011.

In March 2013, he became deputy chief constable. Since then he has been responsible for the Force’s transformation programme and integrating vital services with those of our council partners.

He is married with one son.