Deputy Chief Constable Peter Vaughan of South Wales Police has been named a finalist in the 2009 Leading Wales Awards, which seek to recognise and celebrate outstanding leaders across Wales.

Peter will be competing against two other finalists from Wales, in the ‘Public Sector Organisations’ award category, which is sponsored by The Fairwood Trust.

Being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) of South Wales Police in April 2007, Peter has made a huge contribution to both the force and to the South Wales communities it serves, through the force’s vision – ‘Keeping South Wales Safe’.

South Wales Police is the 8th largest forces in the UK, providing policing services to the 1.2 million people living in South Wales and employs over 5,000 people. It polices the capital city of Cardiff, Swansea and the Rhondda, Cynon, Taff and several other valley communities. It is a challenging and diverse area bringing with it a wide range of policing issues.

Peter took up office at a time when South Wales Police was emerging from a period of change that had had a significant impact on both the culture and policing style of the force. Since his appointment, he has worked hard to create a sense of order and discipline within the organisation and put public confidence firmly at the heart of the way in which the force works both strategically and at a personal level.

With such strong foundations laid, performance has steadily improved throughout during his term and the force has a real sense of optimism and belief in the future.

Since Peter took up his post as DCC in April 2007, recorded crime has dropped by 1.5% and the number of detections has increased by 15.3% resulting in less victims and more offenders being brought to justice. In addition, the level of anti-social behaviour, often one of the most impactive of all issues to affect communities has dropped by 12.2% in the last year alone.

Significantly, crime has dropped in those areas which can have a devastating impact on people’s lives since Peter was promoted, specifically robbery has dropped by 7.5% and house burglary has dropped by 0.9%. Additionally, crime associated with theft from motor vehicles has fallen by 19.1%, which was once a problem in South Wales.

Victim satisfaction has also improved dramatically with South Wales Police achieving the highest figure ever recorded for satisfaction with first contact with the police, which was 96% last month. Other measures for this area have seen rises over the last year all adding to the positive impact Peter has had on improving the way in which South Wales Police officers interact with, and provide a service to, the community.

An engaging, empathetic and inclusive leader, Peter is an inspiration to the service and those who work within it, recognition of his talent and achievements would be a huge endorsement of his massive contribution to public life in South Wales.

Peter is married to Suzanne with two grown up children and his hometown is Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil. He joined the police service in 1984 as a graduate and has served in all parts of the force area including Divisional Commander of Merthyr Tydfil division (Superintendent rank) and Divisional Commander of Rhondda Cynon Taff division (Chief Superintendent rank). He also spent a 3-year period as an Assistant Chief Constable in Wiltshire Constabulary.

“Wales has outstanding leaders in all walks of life and the awards celebrate the people who, thanks to their superb leadership skills, have made a real difference in their organisation, business or community,” said Barbara Chidgey, spokesperson for the Leading Wales Awards, the consortium of public, private and voluntary sector organisations that developed and organise the awards.