NPCC welcomes new lead for Serious and Organised Crime

The National Police Chiefs’ Council have this week welcomed a new lead for Serious and Organised Crime.

Beginning his new post on March 4, Chief Constable Chris Haward will be responsible for leading the policing response to the national Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, recently published by the Home Office.

As part of the role, he will also oversee the coordination and strategic development of the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) network on behalf of all police forces and the wider SOC System.

Chief Constable Haward will also work closely with the National Crime Agency as the organisation responsible for leading and coordinating the UK response to SOC , police forces and a wide range of partner organisations.

He is particularly keen to ensure the benefits of tackling SOC are tangible at a local, force level and will work closely with Chief Constables to continue the good work already started through the Clear, Hold, Build initiative.

Chief Constable Chris Haward said:

“I am delighted to be taking up such an important role, tackling threats that impact not only on our local communities but also national security. 

“I am a great believer in collaborative effort, seeing the whole system working together to tackle these threats and I look forward to working with the National Crime Agency (NCA), police forces and partners to ensure we do our very best to protect our communities from organised criminals.”

Spending much of his 33-year career focussed on intelligence and crime investigation, Mr Haward kicked off his career in Leicestershire working in CID and Intelligence before moving to the National

Criminal Intelligence Service (the forerunner to the NCA) specialising on heroin importation and supply for Interpol.

From here, his work led to the roll out of the National Intelligence Model and the national strategic and tactical tasking processes.  

While ACC in Derbyshire, Chris became the national lead for Surveillance and Technical Surveillance in 2016 and has held that portfolio since then.

He was later promoted to DCC, leading the East Midlands collaborated services including East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit (EMSOU) and the EM Major Crime Units before becoming Chief Constable for Lincolnshire Police in December 2020.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst, who leads the ROCU network said:

“I welcome the appointment of Chris Haward as the NPCC’s new full-time Lead for Serious Organised Crime.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience which nationally forces and the wider ROCU network will immensely benefit from.

“Organised crime devastates communities, threatens national security and destroys people’s lives and it’s important our work in this area continues at pace.

“I look forward to working with Chris and together, tackling the criminal gangs who are responsible for some of the most harmful criminality.”

National Crime Agency Director General, Graeme Biggar, said:

"Chris brings to the role a wealth of experience in tackling serious and organised crime.  I look forward to working with him to ensure the very best coordination between the NCA and policing as we together protect the public from serious and organised crime."