The Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) today endorsed the appointment of Mike Veale as the next Chief Constable of Wiltshire.

The panel makes a recommendation to the Police and Crime Commissioner as to whether his proposed candidate should be appointed.

After a special meeting at County Hall in Trowbridge, the panel backed the appointment of Mr Veale, noting that “the proposed candidate satisfied the panel in every respect in his answers to the questions posed”.

The panel’s report went on: “The conclusion is that the panel is pleased to endorse the Commissioner’s recommendation that Mr Veale be appointed as Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police. The panel welcomes his appointment.”

If Mr Veale, the Force's present Deputy Chief Constable, passes a medical examination and enhanced security vetting, he will take up the role on Monday 1 June, succeeding Pat Geenty who is retiring on 31 May.

He was interviewed last Tuesday by a panel chaired by Mr Macpherson and made up of Jane Scott (Leader, Wiltshire Council), Gavin Jones (Chief Executive, Swindon Borough Council), Rosemary Macdonald (Chief Executive, Wiltshire Community Foundation) and Geoff Pears (an independent human resources specialist approved by the Home Office). Legal advice was provided by Kieran Kilgallen (Chief Executive, Office of the PCC).

Mr Veale was the only candidate for the position.

Speaking after today's confirmation meeting, Mr Macpherson said: "I am pleased that the Police and Crime Panel has ratified the decision reached last week by the selection panel. Some members of the PCP shared my concern that we had interviewed only one candidate for this important post, but we were able to reassure them that the process was rigorous and that the panel had a strong, independent make-up, including a human resources expert approved by the Home Office.

"We now look forward to the vetting process and medical exam being satisfactorily completed. Once those hurdles have been negotiated, the transition at the top of the Force can take place at the end of May."

Mr Veale, who was questioned by panel members at today’s confirmation meeting, said: "I fully understand that the Police and Crime Panel wanted to satisfy themselves that I was thoroughly tested by the selection panel, and I am pleased that members concluded that I was. I now look forward to stepping up from 1 June and building on the achievements of Chief Constable Geenty."

Speaking last week, the Commissioner said: “I have every confidence that Mike Veale will make an excellent Chief Constable for Wiltshire. He understands Wiltshire and Swindon and has been at the heart of developing strong relationships with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council and with our colleagues in Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

“He is committed to my agenda of maintaining local policing.

“In his interview, Mike Veale demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of British policing, with integrity, fairness and public service at the core.”

Mr Veale has been the DCC at Wiltshire Police since March 2013, having joined the Force in January 2005 as a Detective Superintendent from Avon and Somerset Constabulary.