Fed chair hopes new Deputy Chief Constable will bring ‘experience and change’

3 February 2023

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke has told how he is looking forward to working towards creating a better future for officers with the new Deputy Chief Constable as he congratulates Scott Green on his recent appointment.

Rich says he hopes Mr Green will bring with him not only years of valuable experience but a much-needed shift in focus.

Mr Green, who is currently an Assistant Chief Constable at Greater Manchester Police, is expected to take up his new position in the spring.

“On behalf of the Federation, we look forward to welcoming Mr Green to West Midlands,” said Rich.

“Mr Green and our new Chief, Craig Guildford, have both spoken about delivering a proactive local policing model to improve our service to make our communities safer - which is music to my ears. Everybody knows how passionate I am about seeing the return of local policing - and it looks like those at the top share that drive.

“I can’t stress enough how important I think it is for the Force to look at its current policing model. Our bobbies need the space to be back out within the community, getting to know the locals and delivering the intelligence that is so crucial to preventing serious crime. That, in my opinion, is the only way we will see our streets getting any safer.”

Rich previously called the appointment of the new Chief Constable a ‘breath of fresh air’, as he reveals this is the ‘first time in a while’ he feels like the Fed’s voice is having a tangible influence on shaping the future of the Force.

He ended: “Our campaigns and arguments made over several years locally seem to be finally paying off. Of course, pay, pensions and importantly, the mental health and wellbeing of our officers remain major sources of discontent among colleagues, and that is shared by me, but at a local level we can be proud of the progress we are making.”