MEET Teignbridge’s new police chief... Supt Jacqui Hawley pictured right.

She is the new police commander for south Devon which also ropes in Torbay and the South Hams.

She has 24 years’ policing experience with Devon and Cornwall, including operational policing, strategic partnerships and organisational change.

She says: ‘The inter-relationship between the police and the community is the bedrock of my policing approach and I seek to encourage communities to understand the key policing issues we need to focus on, working together to keep our communities safe from harm.’

A graduate of Surrey University, she began her career as a patrol constable in Honiton before undertaking specialist roles.

After just three years’ service she was recruited into the CID, an uncommon practice for someone new to policing. But she was recruited on her merit.

Since then she has worked both regionally and nationally, setting standards in policing and driving cultural change.

She has helped pioneer the development of early intervention and prevention of youth crime.

More recently, she has worked directly for the chief constable’s office leading organisational change and workforce planning.

She has also been working in collaboration with emergency services and other public bodies to enhance joint service delivery across a number of business areas such as mental health, drugs and alcohols, early help, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Supt Hawley is renowned for her fair and frank approach, and her resilience in getting problems resolved. Key priorities include the welfare of her staff and safeguarding those most vulnerable in the community.

She will manage 400 officers and police staff, supported by a team of 15 inspectors and two chief  inspectors.

‘I am extremely proud to be leading such professional and dedicated teams. We must never underestimate the hard work and resilience that goes into retaining the low crime rates that south Devon affords, compared to the rest of the UK,’ she said.