THE preferred candidate to become the new chief constable of North Yorkshire Police has been announced.

North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, has put forward Lisa Winward, as her favoured candidate for the vacancy.

She has been the force’s temporary chief constable since Dave Jones retired from the role in April and has been deputy chief constable since February 2017.

Temporary Chief Constable Winward was chosen following a rigorous two-day interview process, including taking questions from members of the public and partners in a Question Time event and panel interviews, on Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27.

The Police and Crime Commissioner will now put her preferred candidate to the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, who have a statutory duty to hold a confirmation hearing to consider Temporary Chief Constable Winward’s suitability for the role. This will take place on Wednesday, August 15.

Julia Mulligan said her “experience and enthusiasm" for local policing was clear from the interview process.

“I am delighted to name Lisa Winward as my preferred candidate for North Yorkshire’s new Chief Constable,” said Mrs Mulligan.

“Her experience, enthusiasm and commitment to local policing was clear from the interview process and I am pleased to be able to put her name forward to the Police and Crime Panel.”

Temporary Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “I am proud to serve the communities of North Yorkshire and it has been a privilege to undertake the role temporarily. I am therefore delighted to have been selected as the preferred candidate to continue in the role on a permanent basis, subject to confirmation from the Police and Crime Panel.”

Should the Panel approve of Lisa’s appointment, she will permanently take over from Dave Jones QPM, who announced his decision to retire from policing in April after 32 years of service.

Julia Mulligan added: “Since Dave Jones’ retirement, the force has been in Lisa’s extremely capable hands. The consistency she will bring to the role of Chief Constable, and her knowledge of North Yorkshire Police from top to bottom, will ensure she can hit the ground running and continue with the very good work she has been leading since taking on the temporary role.”