Paul West Chief Constable West Mercia Constabulary

Paul West is the Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary. Paul joined Durham Constabulary in 1979 after completing a physics degree at Oxford University. In 1986 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and travelled to America where he studied for a MSc in Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, graduating with "High Honor".

In 1990, as a Chief Inspector and Staff Officer to the Deputy Chief Constable, he dealt with Complaints Discipline matters. He was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 1992, taking over Divisional Command at Sedgefield.

In March 1998 Paul was appointed Assistant Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police and in December 1998 graduated from Durham University, with an MA in Human Resource Management and Development. In September 2000 he was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable, responsible for Professional Standards and Force Performance.

In August 2003, Paul took up the post of Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary and in accordance with the Police Act 1996, is responsible for the direction and control of the force.