Dyfed-Powys Police has announced Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Richard Lewis as the newest member of their Chief Officer Team.

Richard, a Welsh speaker from Carmarthenshire, has risen through the ranks since joining the force as a PC 18 years ago, and has worked as a uniformed police officer across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

ACC Richard Lewis said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as Assistant Chief Constable in my home force.

“I live locally and have family here, so it’s all the more important to me I do the best job I can to serve the Dyfed-Powys community.”

His appointment comes in Dyfed-Powys Police’s 50th anniversary year, and sees the force led by a Chief Officer Team with over 50 years of combined service within Dyfed-Powys Police.

They have 80 years of experience in policing across the UK.

He continued: “There is so much good work happening across the force to keep people safe - I’m looking forward building on this as a member of the Chief Officer Team, while we strive to become an outstanding force.

“I would like to thank the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable for this incredible opportunity.”

In 2010, ACC Lewis spent six months on Fulbright - a prestigious educational programme - at Pennsylvania State University and New York Police Department, where he studied taser use in the USA. He is currently studying for a PhD in covert policing.

Chief Constable Mark Collins said: “I am delighted to promote Richard to the role of ACC. He brings with him a wealth of experience serving our local communities.

“He is an asset to the Chief Officer Team. With his drive and commitment I have no doubt we will continue on the force’s improvement journey.”

Richard will formally start his role on April 22 2018.

He will become the all Wales policing lead for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).