The election May 2024 now seems like an age ago, but I have not forgotten how, for me, it was a time of learning and deep reflection. I also found the whole process deeply humbling and of great value.

There were a number of things that stood out, but principal among them was that trust and confidence in policing across the whole country is lower than it has been for some time.

This was echoed by the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, when she remarked that confidence in policing is a ‘fundamental priority’ for all and for democracy. I share her assessment and will do all that I can to improve confidence in, and within, Gloucestershire Constabulary, central to which will be the introduction of more robust policies around vetting.