Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Sept 2023

Last Updated: 22/09/2023

Crime

North Yorkshire chief constable announces retirement

by John Grainger

| 22 Sept, 2023

Chief Constable Lisa Winward.

The chief constable of North Yorkshire Police has announced she will retire after more than 30 years in uniform.

Lisa Winward will step down from the £154,000-a-year role at the end of March 2024; her successor has yet to be named.

She said she was “immensely proud to have been a police officer and public servant for 30 years", adding:

“It was a very difficult decision to make but I feel that the time is right for me to retire.

"I will still be here for several months and look forward to saying goodbyes in person to as many people as possible who I have had the privilege to meet during my time in policing.”

Chief constable Winward began her policing journey as a volunteer special constable in York.

Following service through the ranks of constable through to chief inspector for Humberside Police, Lisa resumed her service to North Yorkshire in 2008, serving the City of York as chief inspector, superintendent and commander between 2009 and 2013.

She has served in key roles at the heart of North Yorkshire Police including executive officer to the then-chief constable, head of uniformed operations, major crime, specialist operations, criminal justice, and force intelligence.

After leading the local policing portfolio as assistant chief constable throughout 2016, in February 2017 she became deputy chief constable at North Yorkshire Police. In August 2018, she was confirmed as chief constable.

North Yorkshire Police urged to say sorry over LGBT+ 'witch hunt'

Concern over North Yorkshire Police's decision not to attend all mental health call-outs

Call for North Yorkshire police commissioner to resign rejected

A statement issued by North Yorkshire Police said:

“Her vision and passion for understanding and addressing the root causes of crime and disorder in communities has been a hallmark of her tenure as chief, positioning North Yorkshire Police to play its part in early intervention, and working seamlessly with partner organisations to help the residents of York and North Yorkshire be safe and feel safe.”

Chief constable Winward is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy development programme in leadership and policing, and during her time as a chief officer has been the lead on a number of national portfolios, including citizens in policing, women’s health, and menopause. She is a trustee for the Police Treatment Centre and the chair of the British Police Symphony Orchestra. She currently leads for the National Police Chiefs' Council on intelligence, local policing and senior assessment, and in 2022 was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished policing service.

Paying tribute, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said:

“Her dedication of over 30 years of public service and collaboration has shone through whilst serving as a leader here at North Yorkshire Police and I feel privileged to have spent time working alongside such a remarkable individual.

"I know all of us here in York and North Yorkshire wish Lisa well in her future plans.”

Thank you for your interest in this story

North Yorkshire chief constable announces retirement

Read more: