May the force be with him
LATEST IN THE NORTHUMBRIA FORCE HOTSEAT
NORTHUMBRIA Police have appointed an acting chief as the search for Steve Ashman’s successor gets underway.
Mr Ashman announced last month he will retire from the force in November.
Current Deputy Chief Constable Winton Keenen has now been appointed as Acting Chief Constable with effect from October 2 due to the fact Mr Ashman has a number of police engagements outside the force area and accumulated annual leave before his retirement date.
Meanwhile Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, has started the recruitment process for the new chief.
Mr Keenen said: “Northumbria Police is an excellent police force, we have a team of officers and staff who really make a difference and go the extra mile.
“I’m delighted to accept Dame Vera’s offer to take over as Acting Chief Constable until Mr Ashman’s successor is in post.”
“I’ll continue to build upon Mr Ashman’s superb work as Chief Constable and set the foundations for his successor to lead our excellent Police force.
“The challenges facing policing continue to test us all - but I will continue to ensure Dame Vera’s Police and Crime plan is delivered.”
And Dame Vera added: “Steve Ashman has been an outstanding Chief Constable and it’s important that we have a smooth transition, whilst we recruit Mr Ashman’s successor. Winton has a wealth of experience and he is passionate about delivering outstanding policing. “He knows Northumbria well, he has served our communities for over 30 years - his experience, knowledge and commitment are the attributes we need as we enter a new era and recruit a new Chief Constable for Northumbria Police.” Mr Keenen’s policing career began with Northumbria in 1985 as a PC on patrol in Sunderland North. Since then he has worked as a senior investigating officer on some of the force’s most high-profile murders, and as a Strategic Firearms Commander and hostage negotiator.
He has also worked for the Professional Standards Department, the Serious and Organised Crime Unit and Special Branch as well as at area commands which included a role as Superintendent at South Tyneside.
In 2003 Mr Keenen went to Iraq as the first Contingent Commander for the deployment of UK non-military police officers acting as mentors to members of the Iraq Police Service.
While there, he became responsible for setting up a police training academy and advising local senior police officers.
Before becoming a chief officer Mr Keenen was head of Northumbria’s Crime Department.
We have a team of officers and staff who really make a difference and go the extra mile Winton Keenan