A FORMER Redditch beat bobby has been appointed as Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) for Local Policing across the Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police alliance.
Amanda Blakeman began with West Mercia in 1992 when, after her initial training, she was posted to Redditch. After eight years as part of 24 hour response policing and neighbourhood policing within Redditch and Worcester in 2003 she was promoted to sergeant and then Inspector in 2006.
Within this capacity Amanda undertook the responsibility for the Redditch and Bromsgrove intelligence and proactive functions, as well as being one of the divisional senior investigating officers (SIOs).
She then moved to headquarters as a Detective Inspector on the Force Serious and Organised Crime Unit. During this time her work was recognised when she received a National Award from the British Association for Women in Policing for ‘Excellence in Performance’.
In 2008 Amanda was promoted to the rank of Chief Inspector and spent time seconded to the Regional Intelligence Unit.
Meanwhile in her own time she studied for a BSc (Hons) in Crime and Criminology before being promoted to Superintendent in 2011 and Chief Superintendent in 2013, and then ACC role on a temporary basis in 2014.
West Mercia Police Chief Constable David Shaw said: “I am delighted to welcome Amanda into her new role in the alliance. She is a highly experienced officer who has knowledge in many areas of policing. She will have a pivotal role in ensuring that we keep our communities across the Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police force areas safe and I am confident that she will continue to carry out this role for the benefit of everyone living in our communities.”
