Chief Constable delivers Spring Lecture at LJMU

Chief Constable Craig Guildford of West Midlands Police delivered his spring lecture at LJMU last week.

The lecture titled Turning the Tanker: Reflections on 18 Months as Chief Constable of West Midlands Police was held in the Redmonds Building and saw Chief Constable Guildford share his strategic initiatives, and thoughts on the importance of community engagement, and the future direction of the force.

Craig Guildford’s career in policing began in 1994 and he became the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, the second largest police force in the UK after The Metropolitan Police, in December 2022. In his role, he is responsible for setting the vision and direction for the force and leading its operational delivery to serve communities across the West Midlands. Craig has served in five (of the forty-three) police forces in England and Wales, as well as the (then) National Crime Squad, over his thirty years career in policing. Craig was awarded The Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2021.

At the event, Craig highlighted the importance of community engagement and the implementation of a new operating model focusing on Immediate Response, Neighbourhood Policing, and Investigation. He also addressed the significant challenges upon taking the role, including finding savings of £60 million and improving performance data to better serve diverse communities in the West Midlands.

Prof. Steve Finnigan, Professor of Policing Studies and Police Leadership at LJMU, said: “Craig was extremely complimentary about the standard of new recruits coming into policing, and whilst his lecture undoubtedly appeals to those students who aspire to join the police service, it was so relevant to students (and staff) from other academic disciplines.” 

What is the Chief Constable Lecture? 

The ‘Chief Constable Lecture Series’ held each autumn and spring at LJMU, serves as a forum to address contemporary issues and debates in Policing. These events enable the Chief Constable, the University and audience members to share viewpoints, ideas and issues that address the current state of policing, and future challenges within communities.

Watch the Chief Constable Spring Lecture 

You can watch Craig Guildford’s Chief Constable’s Spring Lecture Turning the Tanker: Reflections on 18 Months as Chief Constable of West Midlands Police in full.