Chief Constable Sara Thornton has been appointed as Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)

Chief constables were invited to apply for the post of Chair of NPCC on November 17 2015.   

Chief Constable Sara Thornton from Thames Valley Police applied for the post and, in accordance with election rules, has been appointed.

Sara will take up her post on April 1 2015.

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde will stand down in February 2015.  ACPO will continue to provide national coordination and leadership until the new body is constituted.

CC Thornton said:

“The modern crime threat to this country demands that police forces work together more than ever. The National Police Chiefs' Council will replace ACPO on 1 April 2015 and will have a key role in co-ordinating the work of forces.

“I look forward to leading the new body and doing all that I can to protect the public and build confidence in policing. It will be a privilege and challenge to guide the new organisation in its vital role.”

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde said:

“I am delighted that Sara will take on this vital leadership role.

“Protecting the public from national and international threats is dependent on 43 forces working together effectively.  Sara has made an outstanding contribution to national policing as a Vice-President of ACPO and I have every confidence that she will build on ACPO’s sound foundations. 

“I wish her all the very best.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) will help police cut crime and keep the public safe, by joining up the operational response to the most serious and strategic threats. Focussing on operational delivery and developing national approaches on issues such as finance, technology and human resources, it will work closely with the College of Policing, which is responsible for developing professional standards.

ACPO’s core role of bringing together the expertise of police leadership to coordinate operational policing and agree national approaches in the public interest will be transferred into the NPCC. The aim is to develop a modernised and improved coordinating body that will be sustainable and effective in supporting policing in delivering at the national level for the public.