Tuesday, November 16, 2010
12/11/2010 - New National Child Exploitation Chief is Lincolnshire Officer
Peter Davies
THE SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME AGENCY (SOCA) has announced today that Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, Peter Davies, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
He succeeds current Chief Executive Jim Gamble who retires later this month.
Mr Davies has been appointed on a secondment basis after a formal recruitment exercise led by SOCA on the Home Secretary’s behalf. He will take up the post from 29 November after a formal handover with outgoing Chief Executive Jim Gamble.
Home Office Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire said:
"We welcome the appointment of ACC Peter Davies as the new Chief Executive of CEOP. Child protection is an absolute priority for this Government and CEOP continues to play a crucial role in ensuring children are safeguarded. We intend to build on CEOP's invaluable work tackling the sexual exploitation of children by placing it centre stage in the fight against all forms of serious crime.
"Arrangements are now in place to ensure there is a smooth handover period and we expect ACC Davies to be in post in the next few weeks. We would like to thank Jim Gamble for his dedicated work and wish him every success for the future.”
Chief constable of Lincolnshire, Richard Crompton said:
“Peter has been a great servant to Lincolnshire Police and he deserves this success. He is taking on an immensely important national role and I can think of no better person for the job.”
The Vice Chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority, John Cooke, said:
Trevor Pearce, Director General of SOCA, said:
“The most important issue here is that vulnerable children are protected. Peter Davies brings years of relevant experience to the role and has an outstanding contribution to make to CEOP's vital work.”
Jim Gamble QPM, out-going Chief Executive of the CEOP Centre, said:
“I am delighted for Peter Davies. He is coming to work with a fantastic group of committed child protection advocates and I wish him, in his new role, every success with CEOP for the future.”
NSPCC chief executive Andrew Flanagansaid:
“It’s an excellent appointment and we are sure Peter will build on the outstanding work undertaken by Jim Gamble, who set up CEOP and turned it into a major force in the field of child protection.”
Keith Bristow, Head of ACPO Crime Business Area, said:
“I welcome the appointment of Peter to this key and critical role within the child protection community. The Association of Chief Police Officers works closely with CEOP and we will support Peter in continuing to build on the established success of the organisation in protecting children and communities from harm.”
Mr Davies says he is thoroughly looking forward to his new role. “I am absolutely delighted to be taking up this role. CEOP is a terrific organisation which adds unique value to the many efforts carried out by different agencies, the voluntary sector, industry and partnerships to safeguard children and vulnerable people.
These are challenging times across the public sector and I believe the mission of CEOP to safeguard children everywhere, is as valid now as it always has been and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such a group of talented and committed people to achieve that.”
Peter Davies, 48 has been in Lincolnshire since 1999 when he was appointed Chief Superintendent from Thames Valley Police and took up the post of East Division commander after 13 years with Thames Valley Police which he joined as a constable in 1986. He was promoted in 2003 and appointed Assistant Chief Constable in Lincolnshire with particular responsibility for Protective Services. He has led a number of nationally and internationally significant crime enquiries encompassing the distribution of indecent images of children, domestic extremism, fraud, and serious organised crime, working with CEOP, multiple police forces and other partners.
He was ACPO lead on PCSOs between 2003 and 2006 and a member of the Executive Group of the National Neighbourhood Policing programme between 2004 and 2006.
Mr Davies returned to Lincolnshire earlier this year after a twelve month secondment to neighbouring Nottinghamshire Police during which he also acted as Deputy Chief Constable.
ENDS
Peter Davies is available for interview by telephone today (Friday) – please call the HQ press office to make arrangements 01522 558026 or e-mail: media@lincs.pnn.police.uk
http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases/12-11-2010-New-National-Child-Exploitation-Chief-is-Lincolnshire-Officer.html
