Dyfed-Powys Police: Mark Collins new chief constable

Mark Collins joined Bedfordshire Police in 2015 as assistant chief constable

The appointment of a new chief constable for Dyfed-Powys Police has been confirmed by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Dafydd Llywelyn put forward Mark Collins, the current deputy chief constable of Bedfordshire Police, as the preferred candidate.

He was selected after a "rigorous" assessment at the Carmarthen HQ.

Now the appointment is confirmed he will take over from Simon Prince, who is retiring after three years.

Mr Collins began his police career as a special constable in Carmarthen in 1987, and he lives in Carmarthenshire with his wife.

Mr Llywelyn said: "I believe we have selected a chief who, above all else, will improve the organisation and the service it provides to the public."

The appointment panel was made up of Prof Alan Clarke, professor of criminology at Aberystwyth University, Rhian Jardine head of sustainable communities at Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire council's chief executive Ian Westley and independent member Carolyn Dhanraj.