Deb Smith has been appointed as Devon and Cornwall Police's new Assistant Chief Constable for Crime, Justice and Vulnerability.
She joins the force from Wiltshire Police, where she served as an assistant chief constable and held various leadership roles across uniformed and detective policing. Her experience spans operational and strategic work. She is an accredited Strategic Firearms Commander, Senior Investigating Officer, Senior Identification Manager, Public Order Gold Commander and Multi-Agency Incident Commander.
In 2015, Ms Smith was seconded to Operation Hydrant, the national policing response to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse in institutional settings. As Deputy National Coordinator, she led the operational coordination of the investigation, working with police forces and partner agencies nationwide.
She returned to Wiltshire Police in December 2016, becoming Head of Crime and later Head of Public Protection. She was subsequently promoted to Assistant Chief Constable, leading local policing and specialist operations. In June 2022, she took responsibility for the Crime, Justice and Vulnerability portfolio. More recently, she has overseen force transformation projects and programmes.
Ms Smith also serves as the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for Employer Supported Policing within the Citizens in Policing portfolio.
She said she was looking forward to joining Devon and Cornwall Police and working with communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
"Throughout my career I have been passionate about protecting vulnerable people, supporting victims and ensuring communities receive the service they deserve," she said.
"I am excited to build on the strong work already taking place across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and to help shape the force's future."
Chief Constable James Vaughan QPM welcomed Ms Smith to the force, highlighting her experience in complex investigations, public protection and organisational transformation. He said the Crime, Justice and Vulnerability portfolio was "central" to the force's work to keep people safe and support victims.
"Deb's experience across crime, public protection, vulnerability and organisational transformation will be invaluable as we continue to improve our service to the public and deliver on our priorities for safer communities," he said.
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Deb Smith Appointed Assistant Chief Constable at Devon and Cornwall Police