Dorset’s most senior police officer has announced he will retire after three-and-a-half years leading the force.


Chief Constable James Vaughan, who began his career in Wiltshire Police in 1992, joined Dorset Police as Assistant Chief Constable in May 2012 and was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable a year later.

Mr Vaughan was appointed Chief Constable for Dorset on a temporary basis in April 2018 ahead of the proposed merger with Devon and Cornwall Police, but when this move collapsed he got the job permanently in February 2019. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours in 2018.

Mr Vaughan said: “I began to seriously consider retirement this time last year but delayed my decision due to the covid-19 pandemic, during which I chaired the Local Resilience Forum to coordinate the joint response to the emergency. I will take retirement in the autumn at the end of what is predicted to be a very busy summer. This will allow me to help our new Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick to develop a new Police and Crime Plan to take the force through to 2024/25, set a new budget for next year and select a new Chief Constable.”

“I cannot emphasise enough how very proud I am of the officers, staff and volunteers who give so much every day to serve and protect the public. I would like to thank them for the dedication, commitment and professionalism they have shown, especially in the last 14 months. It has not been an easy time for anyone, but they have continued to do all they can to keep people safe.”

“Dorset Police is an exceptional organisation providing exceptional services. In recent years Dorset Police has achieved a ‘Good’ rating in all 10 areas inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and this is something I am immensely proud of. It has been an extraordinary honour and a privilege to lead Dorset Police in a variety of chief officer roles over the last nine years.”

“This is a period in my professional life that I will cherish. Without doubt, the last year has proved to me that this county is made up of strong and caring communities and I am proud to call it my home.”

A church and a mobility shop in Gillingham have been targeted by burglars in recent weeks. St Benedict’s Church in Cemetery Road was broken into between 11am on Wednesday, June 2 and 9am the next day.
A search was being conducted to establish what had been stolen. In a separate incident, a thief climbed through a small rear window of the North Dorset Disability Information Service in Newbury, opposite Lidl.

A laptop was taken after the thief failed to access a safe. The break-in happened between 4.30pm on Tuesday, May 18 and 9.30am Thursday, May 20.
The shop has provided information and supplies for people with disabilities for 27 years. It also provides a hire service for wheelchairs and other items. It has re-opened after lockdown but the shop is short of volunteers.

If able to help, call 01747 821010 or go to: norddisdorset.org.uk.

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