Dyfed-Powys Police.html



Dyfed-Powys Police Heddlu Dyfed Powys
Coverage
Dyfed-Powys Police Heddlu Dyfed Powys area
Area	Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Powys unitary authority areas
Size
Population	Approx 500,000
Operations
Formed	1968
HQ	Carmarthen
Budget	{{{budget}}}
Officers	1,183
Divisions	4
Stations	45
Chief Constable	Ian Arundale
Website	www.dyfed-powys.police.uk

Dyfed-Powys Police (Welsh: Heddlu Dyfed Powys) is the territorial police force responsible for policing Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire (which make up Dyfed) and the county of Powys, in Wales. The territory it covers is the largest police area in England and Wales, and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom. The force's headquarters are located in the town of Carmarthen.

The force was formed in 1968, with the merger of the Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Constabulary, Pembrokeshire Constabulary and the Mid Wales Constabulary.

The Dyfed-Powys region has over 350 miles of coastline and many remote rural communities - yet also a number of old industrial areas that are currently experiencing significant change and redevelopment.

Despite the size of the area, the population is under 500,000, although it is boosted each year with large tourist numbers. The small population is reflected in the number of employees; 1,183 full-time officers (of whom 905 are of the rank of constable).¹ The force currently have 167 Special Constables, 25 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and 10 traffic wardens. It is the third smallest police force in England and Wales, in terms of number of officers, after Warwickshire Police and the City of London Police.

Dyfed-Powys Police 40th anniversary - Open Day

The year 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Dyfed-Powys Police. To celebrate this occasion, Dyfed-Powys Police held a free family fun open day on the 28th of September 2008 at they're police HQ, Llangunnor, Carmarthen. A large number of people attended. There were several activities and Demonstrations to see and do which included Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Vintage Police vehicles, A Climbing wall, Police Marine Unit, Air Support Unit, Road Policing Unit, Police Dog section and many more. Public were allowed a quick tour of the Communications Centre for the first time; the mapping software was Demonstrated. The public also got to visit the Police Museum which showed various items such as Radios, Batons and Handcuffs past to present. The Museum had some very informative information about the Force and Policing.

ASU at Police HQ Open Day (X-Ray 99)

At the end of the day a Demonstration took place of how the Police Air Support Unit works with the Police Dog Section. There was a Role-Play pursuit (Suspects played by trained police officers) which resulted in the helicopter being lifted and locating the target vehicle in Carmarthen. Units were guided in to intercept the target vehicle. The occupants of the suspect vehicle ran from it at a field at the Police HQ. At this point the Dog Handlers arrived and 2 suspects were detained. One the the three suspects was yet to be located, so the Air Support Unit used it's Thermal Imaging Camera device to search the immediate area. The Suspect was located in some bushes, so the Helicopter landed near by. On board the helicopter was a Dog handler and it's dog. The Dog handler then made his way to arrest the suspect. This was a brilliant Demonstration from Dyfed-Powys Police which proved to be spectacular by the cheering crowds.

All Wales force merger

Under proposals made by the Home Secretary Charles Clarke on February 6, 2006, it was proposed to merge Dyfed-Powys Police with North Wales Police, South Wales Police and Gwent Police, to form a single strategic force for all of Wales.² Following fierce opposition to the proposed changes from many quarters (including the police themselves) during the summer of 2006, the new Home Secretary John Reid abandoned the proposed restructuring of the police service in England and Wales. It is to be seen whether further proposals are brought forward for consideration during the lifetime of the current Parliament.

Retirement of Chief Constable Terry Grange

From March 2000 to until 19 November 2007 the Chief Constable was Terry Grange. Following a complaint, and during an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into financial irregularities, Grange retired with immediate effect. Dyfed-Powys Police Authority said it had accepted with regret his retirement with immediate effect, adding that Grange "had indicated that he had allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role. This has led the police authority to consider the chief constable's position and it was considered to be appropriate to accept his retirement."³ The IPCC continues its investigation.⁴ In newspapers of the 25 November, it emerged that Mr Grange was accused of letting his personal relationship with a judge interfere with the force’s handling of child abuse claims against the judge - Mr Grange was the ACPO spokes person on child abuse issues.⁵

See also

• List of police forces in the United Kingdom
• Policing in the United Kingdom

References

External links

• Dyfed-Powys Police
• Home Office circular 98-1968 announcing the force's creation