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Essex Deputy Chief Constable to become new chief of West Mercia

Pippa Mills began her career in the Met before transferring to Essex
Published - 30/06/2021 By - Gary Mason

 DCC Pippa Mills who led the initial response to the discovery of 39 men, women and children inside a lorry trailer in Essex in October 2019 is the preferred candidate as the new chief constable of West Mercia,

She replaces Chief Constable Anthony Bangham who retires in September.

Her selection follows a competitive two-day process involving four candidates and she becomes the 13th current female chief of an English or Welsh force.

The nomination will be offered for confirmation to the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel on 13th July after which a start date will be agreed.

Pippa Mills was appointed DCC of Essex in March 2019 and has overseen the growth of the force through the national Police Uplift Programme

In addition to her responsibilities overseeing the operation of the Local Policing, Criminal Justice and Public Protection, Serious Crime and Operational Policing commands alongside Strategic Change and HR, Learning and Development and other critical capabilities, she also led the initial response to the discovery of 39 men, women and children inside a lorry trailer in Essex in October 2019. Pippa Mills is the NPCC lead for Police Dogs.

Prior to her current role as Deputy Chief Constable, Pippa was the Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable overseeing Criminal Justice, Operational Policing and Contact Management. She transferred to Essex in May 2017 having begun her career in the Metropolitan Police Service which she joined in 1996.

Following a 3-year career break, she was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 and worked on response team in Redbridge in East London. She was selected for the High Potential Development Scheme in 2006 and was promoted to Inspector in 2007, serving at both Hackney and Waltham Forest as Duty Officer and Prevent lead.

Following promotion to Chief Inspector at Hackney where she led the Operations portfolio and Criminal Justice, she became the staff officer to Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens (now head of the NCA), qualifying as an Advanced Public Order Commander during that time.

As a Superintendent she was part of the command teams for the Royal Wedding, Queens Diamond Jubilee and held the role of Bronze Reserves during the London Olympics. She also led the change team that designed the Metropolitan Police’s new operating model. She implemented this change in approach to Local Policing when she returned to Waltham Forest as the lead for Investigations and Neighbourhoods.

Having completed the Strategic Command Course in 2017, Pippa returned briefly to the Metropolitan Police as a Temporary Commander responsible for Covert Policing and intelligence before joining Essex Police in May as the Assistant Chief Constable responsible for Operational Policing Command, Criminal Justice & Offender Management Command and the Force Control Room.

PCC John Campion said: “After undergoing a thorough process, I am delighted to have chosen Pippa Mills to be my preferred candidate for the new Chief Constable of West Mercia Police. She will bring with her a wealth of previous experience from her service in Essex and the Metropolitan Police. 

Pippa Mills said:“I am committed to protecting people from harm, to delivering an excellent service to all communities and to making sure that West Mercia officers and staff of all ranks and grades are visible and accessible to those who need us. My aim is to put the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire and Herefordshire first. I will also make sure that everyone at West Mercia feels proud to be part of the policing family, and proud to serve every community across our three counties.”

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