Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson’s dedication and achievements were recognised at a virtual farewell last week, before he stands down from office.
Angus was the first PCC to be elected in Wiltshire and Swindon during the inaugural elections in 2012 before securing his second term in 2016. Before becoming PCC, Angus sat on the Wiltshire Police Authority and also served as a magistrate for many years. This was in addition to the various roles he’s held in the community over this period, such as trustee of The Filling Station in Swindon, for example.
More than 50 guests including Office of the PCC (OPCC) colleagues, Wiltshire Police, local authority and other partner agency leaders saw Mr Macpherson receive a Lifetime Contribution to Policing, Crime and Community Safety Award at the event.
Key achievements for Angus include:
- Setting up a £1m innovation fund to support community and voluntary initiatives
- Commissioning a 24/7 mental health triage system within the police control room
- Investing £1m to recruit hundreds of Special Constables within Wiltshire Police
- Launching restorative justice services via Restorative Together, a multi-agency partnership led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
- Modernising the police estate and ensuring it is fit for purpose
- Long-term investment into new technology to modernise the workforce, enabling front line staff and officers to work within the communities they serve
- Launching the community policing project within the county which saw a new ‘one team’ approach to policing
Mr Macpherson said: “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Wiltshire and Swindon for the past nine years, but the time has now come to pass the baton.
“It has no doubt been a challenging but fulfilling role and at the heart of everything I have tried to achieve, has been protecting those most vulnerable in our communities and ensuring that the voices of those most in need are heard loudly and clearly.
“The photo video montage shown during the event brought back lots of memories of the past nine years and I am very honoured to receive a Lifetime Contribution to Policing, Crime and Community Safety Award from those partners I have worked so closely with.”
At the online event, Angus thanked the guests attending for their support and gave some of his role highlights, including being announced as the first ever PCC in the country in 2012 and the Novichok poisonings, as they highlighted the very best of our communities in spite of the horror they inflicted on those directly affected.
Establishing Horizon Victim and Witness Care was also a personal highlight, as the team ensured that victims and witnesses had the necessary support to navigate through the criminal justice system.
He added: “I am looking forward to my retirement and spending more time with my wife Sara-Jane as well as continuing to work on ensuring that homeless people in Swindon continue to receive the support they need via my volunteering at The Filling Station.”
Speeches were also given from OPCC Chief Executive Kieran Kilgallen and Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard. While Deputy PCC Jerry Herbert officiated the event.
Also, on the guest list were local MPs, regional PCCs, the High Sheriff, the Lord Lieutenant, Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel, Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) representatives.
Mr Macpherson has decided to not to stand again in the forthcoming PCC elections on Thursday 6 May.
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