POLICE chief Claire Parmenter worked her way to the top of the force after signing up as a PC having been torn between a life on the beat or in the classroom.

The mum of two has just been appointed deputy chief constable of Dyfed-Powys Police having joined the force 26 years ago as constable after completing a degree in education in Cardiff,

“I was thinking of a career in teaching or policing, and decided to do my degree before making the choice. Policing was always in my heart, so when it came to it, it was an easy decision," said the officer who began her policing career in Ammanford in 1993.

Having grown up in Llanelli, and now living in Carmarthen, the former beat bobby is now in the senior ranks of the force: "Becoming the Deputy Chief Constable within my home force is a huge privilege for me, I hope this will inspire other officers and staff to achieve whatever they want across the service.

"I’m very proud to be a chief officer in the force I am from. Being able to effect the delivery of services in my home area, and to serve people in the area I live ensuring the best possible service, is a huge privilege.”

The police chief has also inspired her own family: "My youngest daughter is 14 and she’s also keen to join the police. It’s nice to know that she looks at my career positively and can see how policing can make a real difference."

As well as serving in a variety of uniform roles, DCC Parmenter has undertaken a number of secondments across UK Policing and beyond.

These include a role as national field officer with the National Policing Improvement Agency, becoming operational Chief Inspector in Avon and Somerset Police, and contributing to the national implementation of neighbourhood policing, for which she received a chief constable’s commendation.

She was promoted to Superintendent in 2010 and became lead for the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, leading and developing a number of blue light collaboration and resilience programmes, working closely with Fire and Rescue, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and Welsh Government.

“I’ve always tried to look at the wider landscape of policing and how we work with partners to improve services to our communities,” she said. “These secondments have given me exposure to different ways of working and has broadened my outlook.”

DCC Parmenter returned to uniformed policing in 2012 and took up the role of Superintendent of specialist operations. She later took over as Commander for Carmarthenshire and Powys, and later took up the post of Chief Superintendent Head of Uniformed Policing for the force. She is an accredited Strategic Firearms and Gold Public order commander and has won a Stonewall National award for her support of LGBT staff.

“I know Dyfed-Powys communities and staff very well, and I think we have got all the ingredients to be an absolutely outstanding force,” she said “I look forward to being a part of the chief officer team to deliver that.

“I’m really grateful to our staff and colleagues across the force, who have supported me throughout my career.”

Chief Constable Mark Collins added: “Claire has shown outstanding commitment to our communities over many years and I am delighted to have her as my Deputy Chief Constable.”