The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent (PCC), Jeff Cuthbert, announced today that it is with ‘great regret’ he has received official notice from the Chief Constable of his intention to retire at the end of June 2017.

Praising Jeff Farrar and thanking him for his service, Mr Cuthbert said that he would be a ‘hard act to follow’ and that the search for his successor would begin as soon as possible.

Jeff Farrar began his career as a Police Constable 35 years ago in Cardiff. He joined Gwent Police in 2009 as an Assistant Chief Constable, taking up the role of Deputy Chief Constable in April 2011. He was confirmed as the Chief Constable in November 2013 after carrying out the role in a temporary capacity.

Working against a backdrop of continuous Government cuts and structural reorganisation, he has led a number of large organisational change programmes which have contributed to over £42 million in efficiency savings. He has overseen the continuous improvement of the Force, with Gwent Police being praised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) with regards to the ‘excellent progress’ it has made under his strong leadership and for ‘outstanding’ areas of its work. During an eighteen month period, Gwent Police went from ‘Requiring Improvement’ across the board to being rated as ‘Good’ overall, and has consistently maintained those levels.

During his career, he has planned and commanded some of the most high profile events in the UK including the NATO Summit (2014), two FA Cup and Carling Cup finals, The Ryder Cup (2010), Rugby Internationals, International Cricket and World Championship Boxing Events. Additionally, he holds a number of national responsibilities including National Policing Lead for Crime Statistics, where he has received praise for his strong leadership on ethical crime recording and his efforts in securing crime data integrity. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal in the 2014 Birthday Honours list.

Thanking the Chief Constable for his positive contribution to policing, Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert, said: “It is with regret that I announce that I have received notice of the intention to retire from the Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Jeff Farrar. His contribution to policing and wellbeing within Gwent has been outstanding and he has served Gwent Police and the people of Gwent with great distinction during his time of service. He has done a fantastic job and has shown that he is a strong leader who has the support of officers, staff as well as our partners in the community.

He has played a leading role within the communities of Gwent, and indeed across Wales, in terms of protecting the wellbeing of citizens and the development of key partnerships. He is highly respected across the Police Forces of England and Wales and is equally respected by the Welsh Government, other Welsh Public Services and Welsh Civic Society more generally.

He will be a very hard act to follow and I am confident that he will continue to play a leading role in public life, but in a different capacity. I want to thank him for the support and encouragement he has provided me with during this first year of my tenure. I am grateful that he has given me sufficient notice which will enable me to look for a suitable successor in a timely manner.”

The Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Jeff Farrar, said: “I have been very extremely privileged to have served as the Chief Constable of Gwent for the last four years and would like to thank the current Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, and the former Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston, for their advice and support whilst I have been in the role. The last four years have presented countless challenges, but I am confident that my successor will inherit a more effective and efficient force.  I have been proud to serve in the police for the last 35 years and will miss many friends and colleagues inside and outside the service, but always remain immensely proud of all those people that service the communities here and across the country every day.”