New
Chief Superintendent Takes the Helm
A new Chief Superintendent has taken over the reins
of the North Staffordshire Division, following the retirement of Steve
Loxley.
Ch
Supt Mark Bates was officially appointed to the post on Monday 21st July
and is determined to support his officers to be more visible, more engaging
with the community and more accessible than ever before.
The 43-year-old was formerly Superintendent of the North Staffordshire
division, which polices Newcastle borough and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
He joined Staffordshire Police in October 1987 and started his career
as a PC in Tamworth.
Since joining the Force Ch Supt Bates has worked his way up the career
ladder.
He has wide policing experience on North Staffordshire division - where
he has served at every rank - as well as working at stations across Stoke-on-Trent
and at headquarters in Stafford.
He was appointed Head of Corporate Services in 2005, and became Superintendent
of the North Staffordshire division in January 2008 before taking the
division's top job last week.
'I am determined to continue the good work of this division for years
to come,' said Ch Supt Bates.
'I am looking at how we are going to ensure the people living in North
Staffordshire, or passing through, are clear about what level of service
they can expect from officers.
'I am giving people a pledge about a high quality of service, as well
as our enduring commitment to reduce crime.
'Accessibility to police stations will be focused on to make us even more
contactable than we are now.
'I want to strengthen and build up the good work already underway with
Newcastle Borough and Staffordshire Moorlands District Councils, our housing
and health service partners.
'I will be looking at the way we provide policing services in North Staffordshire.
'Whether that be the 24/7 emergency response, or PCs and PCSOs tackling
long-term problems in the community, I want to enhance the service we
already offer.
'That may include concentrated working hours for PCSOs during the evening
and at night, which is when the public want to see officers.
'Together with my officers and partners agencies I will also be looking
at driving down anti-social behaviour, and improving people's quality
of life.
'Officers need to be more visible, more engaging with the community and
more accessible.
'A significant amount of work is taking place to free up time for officers
to spend more time with the community by removing unnecessary bureaucracy.
'The shaping of policing in this division will also include looking for
a new police station in Newcastle and a new one in Cheadle.'
Away from policing Ch Supt Bates has a keen interest in sports, including
running, cycling and walking.
He is married with one teenage son.
