WEST Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins is to take up a short secondment as Service Director for the College of Policing 2019 Strategic Command Course.

The appointment will see the Chief Constable working out of Force from January to March 2019, during which Deputy Chief Constable John Robins will be Temporary Chief Constable.

The Chief Constable said: “Although I will be working out of Force, I will keep a keen eye on what is happening in West Yorkshire and contrary to rumours I have seen circulating on social media, I will be returning to my post following secondment!

“I am delighted to have been offered this excellent opportunity and am grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson for supporting my short secondment. I thank my Deputy, John Robins, for stepping up to act as Temporary Chief Constable in my absence. I know he and his Chief Officer Team colleagues, along with all the officers and staff of West Yorkshire Police, will continue to do their best to keep our communities safe and feeling safe pending my return to West Yorkshire.”

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson said: "Dee is an excellent choice for what is a pivotal role in developing the future leaders in policing. I am sure her significant experience and approachable delivery style will be hugely beneficial.

"I also look forward to continuing to work with John, who I am sure will continue to develop West Yorkshire Police's reputation as a progressive, inclusive organisation, which is focused on keeping all our communities safe and feeling safe, through a continued commitment to a neighbourhood policing and partnership approach."

Mike Cunningham, CEO of the College of Policing, said: "To have a Chief Constable of Dee's standing in this role reinforces the importance of the course in the development of the future most senior leaders of the Service. I would like to thank both Dee for this commitment and Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, for supporting Dee's short secondment to the College of Policing to deliver the course."

Dee Collins joined West Yorkshire Police as Deputy Chief Constable in January 2014. She was appointed Temporary Chief Constable in June 2014 and Chief Constable in November 2016.