An interview with the Chief Constable: a proud Pippa Mills reflects on her time leading West Mercia Police Force

24 August 2023

Having heard that Chief Constable Pippa Mills will be leaving West Mercia Police later this year, the Federation jumped at the chance of an interview as she prepares to return to the Met, the same Force at which her career began.

Pippa made history in 2021, when she became the first female Chief at West Mercia, having spent almost five years with Essex Police, where she was their first female Deputy Chief Constable in 2019. Prior to this, she spent the first 17 years of her policing career in the Met.

Over the past two years, she says has made it her mission to create a more ‘cohesive Force’, working hard to ensure all five local policing areas across West Mercia ‘share the same vision, strategy and values’ despite serving different communities.

“West Mercia Police is the fourth largest force in the country, with more than 4,500 volunteers and staff, working across five different areas. When I arrived, I felt that each area worked as their own, and instead, I wanted to ensure all of them started to work under the same umbrella,” said Pippa.

“I feel like I’m leaving a much more cohesive Force, with all areas not just working in their own location but as part of a bigger team, sharing the same vision, strategy and values.

Chief Constable Pippa Mills is a big dog lover

“I think part of this came by encouraging officers to become a lot more positive. At one point, it was the ‘norm’ to only talk about what was going wrong, but the Force is a lot more positive now.

“Ultimately, everyone wants to feel proud of what they do, especially in policing. But that gets tested when every single day there are negative stories in the media about our profession. It’s more critical than ever to celebrate the good in policing too.

“It is so important to remind people when they are doing a brilliant job.”

Another mission close to her heart is breaking down barriers for women - and in particular single parents.

The 48-year-old mum-of-two tells how she took a three-year career break when her sons - who are now 20 and 22 - were born.

Upon returning to work, Pippa says she ‘was promoted quite quickly’, which led to her learning first-hand just how ‘horrific’ the work-life balance can be when you are in the Force and juggling two children.

“I’m a single mum and I want the break those myths, break down those barriers and show people that they can achieve, whatever their circumstances,” added Pippa.

“I know I’ve made my boys proud. They are the ones that inspire me each day and they are my biggest achievement.”

Pippa said her one piece of advice to any parent would be to ‘make sure they are completely organised and on top of their childcare arrangements, for as easy life as possible’.

“From day one as Chief Constable, I actively promoted inclusivity and that’s organisationally - from the bottom to the top,” she continued.

“For all my female colleagues - find yourself a coach or mentor - someone who will not only inspire but challenge you. There are some incredible women in policing - allow them to share their experience and knowledge with you.”

Being a visible and accessible Chief was a priority for Pippa, who says she ‘must have met almost everyone’ within her first eight months in post.

She said: “I definitely feel that I have a personal style of leadership, but in my opinion, that helps to build buy-in from officers.

“West Mercia is such a big Force, it was always going to take time and focus to be the visible and accessible Chief I wanted to be. But I made that my priority and worked hard to engage in person with our teams.”

More recently, one of the newest members to join West Mercia Police Force - a young police dog-in-training - has actually been named after Pippa.

“On a personal level, I’m a huge dog lover,” revealed Pippa, who is the police dog lead for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

“I think police dogs are an incredible asset to the Force, and I wish young Pippa every bit of success in the future.”

 Pippa will be stepping away from frontline duties, having accepted the role of Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan Police.

 “I’m excited to be going back to my roots,” said Pippa.

 “But I’m also fully aware that I’m returning to a different force and new people. After all, the world changes overnight.

 “I’m looking forward to supporting the Commissioner and having a positive influence on policing nationally. 

 “I have absolutely loved my time here at West Mercia and I’m very proud of everything we have achieved.

 “We have become an inclusive workplace, in an inclusive community and I feel incredibly privileged to have led this Force over the last two years.”

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