New Deputy Chief Constable 'huge asset' to force

A police force has appointed a new Deputy Chief Constable.

Katy Barrow-Grint will take on the role at Gloucestershire Police permanently, having held it on an interim basis since November.

She said she is looking forward to tackling the crimes "that impact heavily on people's lives".

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: "Katy has a wealth of experience and skills from her time with Thames Valley Police and I know that she will be a huge asset to the force and our local communities."

DCC Barrow-Grint had worked with Thames Valley Police since 2000, where she was commander of the Oxfordshire Local Policing area and Assistant Chief Constable.

She also led the force's work tackling violence against women and girls.

Shaun West, the former Deputy Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, retired in the summer amidst a criminal investigation and misconduct allegations, which he denies.

Earlier this week, the suspension of Gloucestershire Police's Chief Constable was lifted after a "change in circumstances".

Rod Hansen was suspended by Chris Nelson, the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, in October 2024 after he was issued with a gross misconduct notice by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Nelson said he agreed to lift the suspension as Mr Hansen has now been deployed to a non-public facing role in another area.

The decision does not affect the ongoing IOPC investigation and Maggie Blyth remains as the force's Temporary Chief Constable.

Ms Blyth took on the role in October 2024. The force had been without a chief or a deputy for two weeks before she was appointed.

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