Chief constable to retire after 'challenging' time

Pam Kelly has led Gwent police since 2019

The chief constable of Gwent Police has said she will retire later this year after a "very challenging” time for the force.

Pam Kelly has held the post since 2019, a five year period which has seen a number of high profile controversies involving officers.

Ms Kelly, who started her career at Dyfed Powys Police in 1994, said it had been a “privilege” to hold the top job.

She became the deputy chief constable of Gwent Police in 2017 before becoming chief constable in 2019.

Within weeks, she had to deal with allegations of gross misconduct linked to a retirement party - with one officer accused of sexual assault.

The case was not resolved for three years, with two officers sacked in September 2022 and another retiring just days before the misconduct hearing.

In November 2021, the force had to apologise to two women over the way it handled reports of abusive and violent behaviour by a former officer.

And an investigation by the police watchdog into alleged corruption, misogyny and racism within the force - brought to light by messages found on the phone of another former officer - is ongoing.

'Dealt robustly' with 'challenges'

In a statement released to announce her retirement after 30 years in policing, Ms Kelly acknowledged the difficulties of her time in charge.

“The last few years have been very challenging for UK policing, and for Gwent Police, and we have dealt robustly with all these challenges," she said.

“I very much hope that our work in shaping organisational change has paved the way for our superb staff to deliver the best service possible for our communities."

Ms Kelly's service to UK policing was acknowledged in the Platinum Jubilee honours when she received the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).

The exact date of Ms Kelly’s retirement is yet to be announced.