New chief inspector starts role in Welwyn Hatfield
Chris Rutter takes charge of policing duties in his hometown
Chris Rutter has been appointed as the new Chief Inspector for Welwyn Hatfield, following the retirement of Chief Inspector Pete Frost.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, Chris Rutter now oversees the local policing across the district, managing both the Response Team and Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The Response Team handles 999 emergencies, while the Neighbourhood Policing Team focuses on both long- and short-term issues such as anti-social behaviour.
Chris has expressed enthusiasm towards serving the community and praised the dedication of local officers in Welwyn Hatfield.
He said: “I’ve already seen some fantastic work being carried out by our teams here in Welwyn Hatfield. It’s clear there is a real commitment to keeping people safe, and my priority is to ensure that this high standard of service continues.”
Chris Rutter joined the police through the Police Now graduate scheme, after studying French and Spanish at the University of Cambridge.
He has held various roles within the force, including Response and Neighbourhood Policing, a secondment to the Home Office, positions with the Force Control Room, Workforce Development, and Custody. Currently, Chris also serves as the force’s Deputy Lead Negotiator.
Conveying his motivation, Chris said: “I’ve always known I wanted to work in public service. I value having a sense of purpose and being able to make a genuine, tangible difference to people’s lives.”
Chris says he wants to build trust with the public and plans to strengthen community engagement.
His plans include establishing a local Independent Advisory Group (IAG), allowing residents to offer advice and constructive challenge.