A NEW acting chief constable has been announced for Gwent Police.

The current Chief Constable Jeff Farrar will be handing over the reins to his deputy Julian Williams on July 1. Mr Farrar who has worked in policing for 35 years announced his intention to retire this summer earlier this year.

Mr Williams, who took up the deputy chief constable role in January 2017, has 28 years’ experience in policing after joining South Wales Police in 1989.

He has experience across several different departments, including uniform, CID, corporate roles as well as divisional commander for the western division of South Wales.

The Gwent police and crime commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “The current deputy Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Julian Williams, will be appointed as the acting chief constable of the service from July 1st 2017 following the retirement of Jeff Farrar.

“We are currently proceeding with the recruitment process for a new chief constable and I will be making no further comment until the conclusion of that process at a confirmation hearing of the Gwent Police and Crime Panel.

“The confirmation hearing for a new chief constable will take place at the earliest possible opportunity following the approval of the new Gwent Police and Crime Panel membership by the UK Home Office.”

The outgoing chief constable during his career has been responsible for overseeing the improvement of Gwent Police, with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) citing “excellent progress” under his leadership.

Mr Farrar was responsible for policing the 2014 NATO leaders’ summit and the 2010 Golf Ryder Cup both at Newport’s Celtic Manor resort.

The 51-year-old started his career as a Pc in Cardiff before he joined the regional force in 2009 as assistant chief constable.

In 2011 he became Deputy Chief Constable and he was confirmed as the chief constable in November 2013 after doing the job in a temporary capacity.

He has also been National Policing Lead for Crime Statistics and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2014 Birthday Honours list.

Speaking when announcing his retirement, Mr Farrar said: “The last four years have presented countless challenges but I am confident that my successor will inherit a more effective and efficient force.

“I have been proud to serve in the police for the last 35 years and will miss many friends and colleagues.”