Lots of work to do, says new police chief constable
West Mercia PCCA new police chief constable says he wants the force under his leadership to focus on "the things that matter most to the public".
Richard Cooper was formally confirmed in the role of West Mercia Police chief on Wednesday.
"We'll be really focused on crime – on reducing crime, on investigating crime – on antisocial behaviours and on reducing the harm that's suffered on West Mercia's roads," he said following his appointment.
"And within that, a real focus on providing the best possible service when people need us, from answering the phone more quickly to following up all reasonable lines of inquiry when people have suffered a crime."
Mr Cooper had already been in the role on a temporary basis since August and was confirmed as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion's preferred choice for the job last month.
He is the force's first permanent chief constable since Pippa Mills' departure in October 2023.
"I'm delighted," said Mr Cooper. "It's a big job, so in terms of responsibility ahead of me, we've got lots of work to do.
"There's lots of good stuff going on. Crime is going down in West Mercia; we're solving more of it. But the force needs some stability so we can keep up that momentum."
'There are challenges'
Mr Cooper acknowledged there was room for improvement in the force's relationship with local communities and in terms of communicating the work it does.
"The single biggest thing we can do to improve [that] is that when there are local problems that need addressing, either when someone's suffered a crime or there's an issue that's affecting their local are, or even if something is going on behind closed doors, that we do our utmost to solve those problems," he said.
"And we communicate what we've done really clearly."
He added that the force was facing plenty of challenges.
"Crime is getting more complicated; there's a big budgetary challenge in terms of the cost of running the organisation outstripping the money available. But… the job of policing is to overcome challenges and solve problems.
"We're already setting with local communities the three priorities that are most important to them in their local area; we're much more visible in town centres.
"So, yes, there are challenges, but I want my organisation and the public that we serve to be focused on the crime and anti-social behaviour issues that we need to get on top of."
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