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Ifan Charles named preferred candidate for Dyfed‑Powys Police Chief Constable

The decision follows a three‑day interview process at Police Headquarters, with the final choice now set to go before the Police and Crime Panel for confirmation on 7 October.

Recruitment process concludes

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said the selection process had been “robust and transparent,” involving key stakeholders from across the force area.

“I am pleased to announce Temporary Chief Constable Ifan Charles as my preferred candidate for the role of our Chief Constable at Dyfed‑Powys Police,” he said.

“From the outset, it was vital to select a Chief Officer with the vision, determination, and resilience needed to lead our Police Service. Ifan performed exceptionally throughout the assessment process, demonstrating strong leadership and a deep understanding of policing.”

Career in Dyfed‑Powys Police

Ifan Charles joined Dyfed‑Powys Police in 2004 and has served in a variety of roles across CID and uniformed policing in all four counties. His career has included leading firearms incidents and managing serious crimes, with a focus on supporting victims.

In 2022, he completed the Senior Police National Assessment Centre and Strategic Command Course, before being appointed Assistant Chief Constable. He became Deputy Chief Constable in July 2024 and has been acting as Temporary Chief Constable since the resignation of Dr Richard Lewis earlier this year.

Looking ahead

PCC Llywelyn said: “Ifan has an outstanding track record in tackling crime and managing community policing. I very much look forward to working with him to ensure our communities remain safe and to develop a service that is effective today and ready for the challenges of the future.”

He also thanked staff, officers and partners who supported the recruitment process.

The appointment will now be considered by the Police and Crime Panel at a confirmation hearing on 7 October 2025.

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#ChiefConstable #DafyddLlewellyn #DyfedPowysPolice #IfanCharles #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner #PoliceAndCrimePanel

Ifan Charles has been named as the preferred candidate for Dyfed‑Powys Police Chief Constable, with confirmation due at a Police and Crime Panel hearing on 7 October.

David East #QPM is a retired British police officer who served as #ChiefConstable of #SouthWalesPolice, and was also Secretary of the #WelshRugbyUnion.

Dyfed Powys Police Chief announces retirement

Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis said: “As someone who was raised in west Wales and has worked in all four counties, leading Dyfed-Powys Police has been the professional privilege of my life.

“I have nothing but fond memories of working in this fantastic force, and in policing. It has been a real honour to work alongside PCC Dafydd Llywelyn, a true leader and nationally important figure in Wales who has invested so much in the development of Dyfed-Powys and the safety of its communities.

“I have every confidence that whoever is appointed the next Chief Constable will continue the force’s positive trajectory, which led us to cutting crime by 18% over the past 12 months – which is by some distance the biggest cut in crime anywhere in England and Wales.”

Following the Chief Constable’s announcement, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn issued the following comments: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chief Constable Dr. Richard Lewis for his service and dedication to Dyfed-Powys Police.

“His leadership has been instrumental in guiding the force through a period of significant change over the last three years, ensuring we continue to provide an effective and efficient policing service to the communities we serve.

“During his tenure, Dr. Richard Lewis has overseen multiple change programmes as part of a Force review, delivering essential changes that achieved a £10 million savings. His strategic leadership has been instrumental in modernising the force, ensuring we are better equipped to meet the demands of modern policing.

“He has also overseen the introduction of a new crime records management system, which has improved the way we record and manage crime data. This was a critical step in response to HMICFRS’s accelerated cause for concern on crime data integrity, ensuring greater accuracy and accountability in our crime recording practices.

“In the coming weeks, I will begin the process of appointing a new Chief Constable to build on the strong foundations that have been put in place over the last three years.

“On behalf of the people of the Dyfed-Powys area, I would like to thank Richard for his service and commitment, and I wish him every success for the future.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner will now begin the search for the next Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police. Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles will act as temporary Chief Constable in the meantime.

(Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police)

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