DEBBIE Tedds has been confirmed as the first female chief constable in Warwickshire Police’s history.
It comes after her selection by Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe was given the thumbs up by the Police and Crime Panel.
Debbie is the force’s current Temporary Deputy Chief Constable and will take over from Chief Constable Martin Jelley QPM when he retires at the end of this month.
The Commissioner’s decision was subject to confirmation by the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel.
The panel, made up of elected and independent members from across Warwickshire, had the power to veto the appointment but voted their approval of the commissioner’s nomination.
PCC Seccombe said: “I am pleased the panel agrees with me that Debbie Tedds is absolutely the right person to lead Warwickshire Police when our current Chief Constable Martin Jelley retires.
“Debbie is Warwickshire through-and-through and has the benefit of having served at all levels within her home force over a distinguished policing career.
“She is both well-known and well-respected locally, regionally and nationally and that can only serve the force well.”
TDCC Tedds said: “Having served as an officer at every rank within the force and across the county for more than 30 years, to be afforded the opportunity to be the first female Chief Constable in our 164-year history is an absolute honour and privilege.
“From next month I will now have the opportunity of a lifetime to lead an incredible force to provide the very highest standards of care and protection to the communities of Warwickshire.
“I passionately care about Warwickshire and its people and I’m excited to continue to develop our force to ensure its services are of the upmost quality, fit for now and the future, putting the care of our people at the heart of everything we do.”
