ASSISTANT Chief Constable (ACC) Lorraine Bottomley who joined Gwent from the West Midlands Police in 2013 has announced her retirement following 30 years police service. 

Before embarking on a career in the police, Mrs Bottomley was a teacher in Birmingham before joining the West Midlands Force in 1986. During her time at West Midlands she progressed through the ranks working in a number of different areas including professional standards and CID before being appointed chief superintendent and head of policing for Birmingham North. She was an experienced firearms and football commander and was appointed assistant chief constable for Gwent in May 2013.

During her time in Gwent she has overseen administration of justice and custody, neighbourhood and response policing and CID human trafficking. Mrs Bottomley was also the regional lead for firearms, human trafficking, youth criminal justice and All Wales Schools liaison officers, special constabulary, cadets and volunteers and female chief officers.

Mrs Bottomley said: "It has been an absolute  privilege to work for the people of Gwent and I feel so very proud and humble to have finished my career as your assistant chief constable.

"I have seen many changes within policing, however the one thing that does not change is the support that we get from our communities.

"My husband and myself have many plans for the future, we are looking to move to the coast in Hampshire as we love the New Forest and coastal area. We will have the opportunity to expand the amount of time we spend in volunteering and in caring for our elderly parents as well as travelling.

"I've been extremely fortunate to have worked with such an amazing and dedicated group of people who I will surely miss."

Gwent Police Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said: "Whilst Lorraine's time with Gwent Police was relatively short she has made a big impression and overseen a number of vital changes in the way we work. She has helped ensure the service we provide to the public is fair, professional and above all caring.

"She has dedicated her professional career to public service through her policing and before that her teaching. She should be proud of the contribution she has made to the welfare of others.

"Her natural policing skills, strong leadership and commitment to keeping Gwent safe are an example to us all. On behalf of the many officers and police staff she has met along the way, I would like wish her the very best of luck in her retirement."

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: "It is a significant achievement to reach 30 years of service in a profession as demanding as policing and I would personally like to thank Lorraine for the service she provided to Gwent Police over the last few years. I would like to wish her all the best on her future endeavours."