New Deputy Chief Constable will start role next month

A new Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) will start her new role in Gwent Police on November 1st, joining Chief Constable Pam Kelly, Assistant Chief Constable Jon Edwards and Assistant Chief Officer (Resources), Nigel Stephens in the Chief Officer Team at Gwent Police.

Amanda Blakeman who has previously served in West Mercia Police was successful in the recruitment process held at Gwent Police HQ at the end of September and has this week been formally notified of a start date of this November.    

Commenting on her appointment, Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: “I am delighted to welcome Amanda to Gwent Police. Amanda is an experienced Deputy Chief Constable who is well respected across the UK. I have no doubt that her “can do” approach, people focussed mind-set and dedication to public service will help us build on the great work that is ongoing here at Gwent Police.

“Amanda has a significant background in Operational Policing, Change Management and in particular within Professional Standards. Along with ACC Jon Edwards and Chief Officer (Resources) Nigel Stephens, I have an experienced team that, along with my officers and staff, will help me deliver the best service possible to the communities of Gwent.”

Amanda joined West Mercia Police in 1992 and throughout her career has held various posts. She spent the first 11 years of her service gaining an invaluable amount of experience and knowledge across a variety of roles as a police constable.

In 2003 she was promoted to sergeant and, since then, across a number of ranks, has led teams in delivering critical services to communities. She has held the responsibility for intelligence and proactive functions and has been a Senior Investigating Officer as part of the Force Serious and Organised Crime Unit. In 2008, seconded to the West Midlands Regional Intelligence Unit, she led the development of the critical processes around identifying and disrupting Organised Crime Groups. In addition she has led the delivery of policing operations on a local level as a Local Policing Area Commander. She has also held the roles of Head of Public Protection and Head of Operational Support for West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police. She has been a Tactical Firearms Commander and is now a Specialist Strategic Firearms Commander.

Amanda has a Bachelors in Science with Honours in Crime and Criminology.

Amanda has successfully completed the Senior Police National Assessment Centre and the Strategic Command Course. She was appointed as Deputy Chief Constable for West Mercia Police in February 2017 having previously been Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing, since October 2014, for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police.

More recently and prior to the recruitment process here in Gwent, Amanda was West Mercia's Senior Responsible Officer for Transformation who is  incredibly proud to be the NPCC lead for Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime, an area she has worked within for the majority of her career.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “It is a testament to the regard in which Gwent Police is held that we had two strong, external candidates apply for this position.

“Amanda has an exemplary record and I am confident that she is the right person to assist the Chief Constable to deliver an effective and efficient police service, look after the welfare of Gwent Police officers and staff, and above all keep the residents of Gwent safe from harm.”