Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Garry Forsyth has announced he is stepping down from his role after five years with the force.
With 28 years’ service with policing across a number of forces including West Midlands Police and the Met and joined Bedfordshire as Deputy Chief Constable in 2017, becoming Chief two years later.
He is also the national lead for Race, Religion and Belief and has played a key role in driving forward the Police Race Action Plan.
Mr Forsyth has helped turn Bedfordshire Police around to become recognised as one of the country’s leading forces across a range of specialisms.
Earlier this year the force was graded ‘Outstanding’ for managing offenders in an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
Mr Forsyth said: “It has been an absolute honour to lead this force and I’m privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many brilliant people, both within Bedfordshire Police and across the county, including partners and blue light services but also our incredible communities.
“I’m proud at what we have achieved since I arrived in force in 2017… Forces are coming to Bedfordshire from all over the country to see what we are doing and how we are doing it.
“I’m delighted our officers and staff are getting the recognition they so richly deserve.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye paid tribute to Garry’s work.
“On behalf of all communities in Bedfordshire I would like to thank Chief Constable Garry Forsyth for his dedicated and steadfast commitment to keeping people safe,” he said.
“Since taking the helm here at Bedfordshire Police, Garry has provided exceptional leadership that has taken the force into a new era of high performance and the latest outstanding HMICFRS inspection report is testament to this.”
Mr Forsyth’s last day in force will be in September, with a formal selection process for his successor to be set out by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
