The top man at North Yorkshire Police has announced his decision to retire with immediate effect.
Chief Constable Dave Jones is to leave policing after nearly 32 years of service.
In accordance with his wishes, he will step down immediately. North Yorkshire Police’s current Deputy, Lisa Winward, will assume temporary command until a permanent Chief Constable is recruited.
Appointed in 2013, Dave Jones has led North Yorkshire Police through a challenging period for policing, with budgets squeezed.
Before joining the North Yorkshire force, CC Dave Jones had previously served at Greater Manchester Police, where he held a series of senior positions.
In 2008 he was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in the Police Service Northern Ireland.
Modernised service
In announcing his retirement, CC Dave Jones said: “I have been proud to serve the community for nearly 32 years, but it is now time to step back and be with my family.”
He said the North Yorkshire force combined traditional and modern qualities.
I have always believed that neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of the police service, and that community approach is absolutely embedded at North Yorkshire Police.
The force is also firmly on the road to a modernised service, with developments in mobile technology now rolling-out across the frontline, and more still to come.
However policing does not stand still, and North Yorkshire Policing is about to start the next phase in its transformation.
This seemed like the right time for me to hand over the baton to a new leader, who can take the service on this new stage of the journey.
Tremendous contribution
Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan appointed Dave Jones to the top job.
She described him as a formidable leader. “His personal leadership and commitment to North Yorkshire Police – and the wider police service – has been exceptional, and he has done a great job in very challenging times.”
“In particular he has led the National Police Chiefs’ Council work on citizens in policing and rural crime,” she said.
Julia Mulligan described the new Acting Chief Constable Lisa Winward as “a highly respected and experienced chief officer, and I am confident that the force is in very safe hands”.
She added: “By the end of the month we will appoint a deputy to backfill DCC Winward’s position on an interim basis, and I will carry out an open and transparent recruitment process for a permanent Chief Constable as soon as possible.”