SWINDON councillor Russell Holland has been appointed as the deputy Police & Crime Commissioner.

At a meeting of the Police & Crime Panel, Cllr Holland – who is a lawyer – was nominated and unanimously ratified as the new deputy PCC for Swindon and Wiltshire.

PCC Philip Wilkinson had proposed a set of criteria which any deputy candidate would have to meet to the panel – his first meeting with them since being elected in August.

The panel agreed with the criteria and nominated Cllr Holland for the position.

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“I am proud to be Wiltshire born-and-bred and to call our wonderful county home. I had a great education here and was able to win a place at Oxford University before going on to qualify as a lawyer,” Cllr Holland said.

“I have always been passionate about public service and have served as a councillor for 14 years.

“I am really looking forward to giving something back to the county through putting my skills to work to help deliver an outstanding police service for residents. I am really excited to be working alongside the PCC.

“Phil and I have different backgrounds but we are both absolutely committed to working hard on behalf of residents and I believe we have a complimentary skill set and will work well together.

“Most of all, I am looking forward to having the opportunity to support our dedicated police officers, staff and volunteers, alongside meeting community leaders, to understand better how we can meet their needs.”

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Mr Wilkinson said: “Russell will make a formidable deputy. His professionalism and compassion shines through his public service and professional life.

“I look forward to working with him; he has vast experience in local politics and the criminal justice system and I am delighted the Panel agreed with the appointment.

“The role of PCC has very much evolved since it was first introduced and the initiatives implemented by the OPCC, the commissioned services it provides and the oversight of operational policing has evolved in tandem.

“I believe having Russell as deputy will provide me, and the office, with the necessary resilience and capacity to do our very best for the residents of Wiltshire and help to ensure Wiltshire Police is a quality and trusted police force.”