Assistant Chief Constable Matt Welsted
Matt joined Leicestershire Constabulary in 1996 and served in a variety of roles as both a constable and sergeant before transferring to Cheshire in 2005.
Initially based on response at Crewe Matt, moved into custody before getting involved in organisational change for the first time around improving victim satisfaction and keeping victims updated and involved in their investigations.
On promotion to Inspector Matt returned to Neighbourhood Policing at Congleton and then Wilmslow before taking on the design and delivery of a force wide Duty Management System that would see the Constabulary completely change the way it planned and managed its people to meet the needs of the public.
In 2015, Matt was promoted to Superintendent, and after a period leading Critical Incident Management, Matt took on the lead for modernising how we work, to be digitally enabled. This programme changed how all our officers and staff work ensuring they are free to work anywhere and supported by the tools they need to do their job. It was during this role that Matt established a way of working that put the users of a system and the people who receive services from a system at the front of any and all plans to change or improve it.
In 2017, Matt became the Head of Local Policing for Cheshire. He oversaw a redesign of the Constabulary’s Neighbourhood policing offer, which focused on universal service and local accountability, delivered by dedicated staff in 122 community areas. This approach has proven highly effective in solving the problems that matter to local people and ensuring that we stay connected with and accountable to them.
In 2019, Matt became the Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, initially over operations but later leading on a Multi-Force Shared Service. This collaboration provides back-office services to Cheshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, Northamptonshire Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
After a further period leading on Operations for Cheshire, Matt moved in January 2023 to West Midlands Police as a Temporary Assistant Chief Constable to support the transformation of the force with a focus on technical innovation and unlocking its potential.
Matt is proud to sponsor the Enable staff network. He actively shares his lived experience as a dyslexic adult to raise awareness of the support we provide to all people of difference and the value that difference adds to policing.