'Not just rubber stamping' Macpherson speaks on new Chief Constable
They were told they'd be able to hire and fire Chief Constables and that's exactly what Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has done.
Angus Macpherson has appointment Patrick Geenty in the role of Chief Constable. It's a five year contract with an estimated annual salary of £133,000 pounds.
Mr Macpherson, himself, was announced as the first commissioner in England and Wales, back in November. He was the Conservative candidate in that election. Earlier, he spoke to Sangeeta.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson has appointed Mr Patrick Geenty as the permanent Wiltshire Police Chief Constable.
He is the first PCC to exercise his power to appoint a Chief Constable since the elections for the UK's first Police & Crime Commissioners took place last November.
“I am delighted to be appointing Patrick Geenty as the substantive Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police. As it is such an important role, it was a priority for me to recruit for this post as soon as possible after taking office.
“Mr Geenty has been the temporary Chief Constable since March last year. During that time, and throughout the recruitment process, he has shown a real commitment to leading the Force effectively, working to ensure Wiltshire continues to be one of the safest counties in the country.
“I look forward to continuing to work with him. He is an outstanding leader and I am very pleased that we will be working together to deliver my forthcoming Police and Crime Plan.”
– Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire & Swindon
Mr Geenty has thirty years of experience in the police service.
“I am very proud to be appointed as the substantive Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police. I will continue to lead the Force, working alongside Mr Macpherson and other colleagues, to continue to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the county and deliver his Police and Crime Plan, due to be published by the end of March.
“We are working within a challenging financial climate, however I am confident we will continue to provide an effective and efficient police service for the people of Wiltshire.”
– Patrick Geenty, the new Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police
Wiltshire police have announced that Patrick Geenty is to be their new Chief Constable. He has been appointed on a five year contract. He had been acting Chief Constable but has now been given the job on a permanent basis by Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson.
Crime Commissioner first to exercise recruiting power
Angus Macpherson at Wiltshire's Police & Crime Commissioner election, November 2012
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, is to become the first to exercise the power to appoint a Chief Constable. He has also put forward capping the police aspect of council tax.
The role of Police and Crime Commissioner was introduced to the UK last year - with elections held across the country in November 2012.
Friends and anonymous donors have completely replaced the missing money Credit: ITV Meridian
People in the village of Shrewton in Wiltshire who lost Christmas savings of £29,000 are due to receive replacement funds later.
Residents had been saving in a thrift club at local pub the Royal Oak. Police are still searching for landlord Malcolm Levesconte, seen below, who's been missing since early December. They believe he may have taken his own life.
Malcolm Levesconte has been missing since early December Credit: Wiltshire Police
VIDEO: A fund set up to reimburse villagers whose Christmas savings went missing has almost reached its target tonight - but the news has been tinged with sadness. Andrew Pate reports
Shrewton landlord in 'possible suicide' - police statement
Malcolm Levesconte Credit: Wiltshire Police
Police investigating the disappearance of Malcolm Levesconte are considering that he may have jumped off the ferry on the way to France.
Malcolm Levesconte, aged 59, landlord of the Royal Oak Pub, was last seen at the pub on Sunday December 9th.
Detectives have confirmed he booked a return ferry ticket to St Malo in France that same evening and boarded a ferry at Portsmouth.
Since then police have been working with the relevant agencies in France to try to trace him but have not been able to confirm he actually came off the ferry in St Malo.
Due to evidence that has come to light during their enquiries they have become increasingly concerned for Mr Levesconte’s safety and are now considering the possibility that he jumped off the ferry.
Det Sgt Standing, Salisbury CID said: “We continue to treat Malcolm Levesconte’s disappearance as a missing person enquiry but at this stage we do have to accept there is a possibility that he did not make it to France and may have taken his own life by jumping into the sea from the ferry.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who has information to come and speak to us – his family are facing the terrible prospect that he may have committed suicide. It is therefore imperative that we hear from you if you have heard from Mr Levesconte.”
In addition, Wiltshire Police are writing to the 61 people believed to have contributed to the Royal Oak pub’s Christmas thrift club in Shrewton which went missing at the same time as Mr Levesconte’s disappearance.
Officers launched an investigation after they were informed of the theft of a substantial amount of money by a member of the public. Enquiries have established that the £29,000 Christmas thrift fund collected by the landlord of the Royal Oak has disappeared.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Levesconte is asked to contact Salisbury CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where information can be left anonymously.
The money was taken from the Royal Oak Christmas savings club Credit: ITV Meridian
The people of Shrewton say they are "turning their luck around" one week after the landlord of the Royal Oak pub in the village on the Salisbury Plain disappeared.
60 families have lost their Christmas thrift club savings, which were being handled by Malcolm Levisconte.
Some families have lost as much as £2,500.
“This dreadful event made national headlines,” said Carole Slater, chairman of Shrewton Parish Council. “But the response from around the world has been truly heart-warming.
"A bad news story has become a magnificent celebration of the warmth and generosity of strangers. Shrewton is saving Christmas.”
Villagers have pulled together. Working through www.Shrewton.com, their Shrewton Saves Christmas campaign has already raised £13,250 to help replace the £29,000 that police say has been stolen.
With more events planned up to Christmas Eve, the total is expected to rise significantly.
“This is already far more than anyone expected,” said Pete Elston, who is organising the online donation, overseen by Shrewton Charitable Trust.
“We will carry on right up to Christmas Eve because this is the only way Shrewton can save Christmas for our neighbours.”
A car wash was held on Saturday, followed by Church services on Sunday. On Thursday Shrewton Silver Band will give a concert.
On Friday “Shrewton Shines” will be a special event at Rollestone Manor. And on Saturday Salisbury Football Club will collect cash at their home match against Truro City.
“Shrewton is back on the map for the right reasons,” said Ian West, who represents Till Valley on Wiltshire Council.
“This is a community looking after its own in a truly humbling way way.
"TV news crews, radio and newspaper reporters are all here telling the world how such a terrible event has brought people together – a real Christmas spirit that is making millions of people smile.”
Donations can be made here. Follow on Facebook and Twitter - #Shrewton.
Levisconte is still being sought by police for questioning.
