Director of Performance Development – Karen Watkins
I started working for Cheshire Constabulary in 1986 as the Force
Research Officer and have been in my current position as Director
of Performance Development since 2007.
My role involves the management of a variety of functions
including Performance Improvement, Business Management, Information
Management, Print Services, Corporate Communications and Facilities
Management, all based at Winsford Headquarters. They exist to
support the force in improving its performance and in providing
support services that help Areas and departments get on with their
day to day policing tasks.
My role as Director means I am a member of chief officer group
helping the chief to make decisions about the future of the force.
I also chair the Cheshire Women’s Network.
Interim Director of Human Resources - Justine Steele
Justine Steele joined the Constabulary in April 2010 in the role
of Interim Director of Human Resources.
Justine has extensive experience from both private and public
sector organisations, some of which have undergone significant
organisation change, and will bring this experience to the
transformation programmes currently underway within the
Constabulary and the associated HR challenges.
Director of Information Services Department - Dr Neil
Brown
I am a Chartered IT Professional and joined the Constabulary in
1997, initially on contract as a Technical Project Leader with
responsibility for implementing a new Crime System for the Force
prior to 2000.
I then went on to become Corporate Projects Technical Manager
and then Head of the Information Systems Department in 2001. I took
on my current role as a Director in 2005. Prior to working for
Cheshire Constabulary, I worked for Shell International Petroleum
in various IT roles for eight years and the Milk Marketing Board
prior to that.
My current responsibilities include directing both the IT
Services and Business Development Services functions: Information
and communication technologies are crucial to all of the Force's
core business and policing processes and services.
It is my responsibility to ensure that the underlying
technologies and systems are properly supported and operate
effectively and reliably twenty four hours a day, every day of the
year. In addition, the Constabulary is constantly looking to
innovate, improve its performance and reduce costs, adapt to new
emerging needs and statutory requirements whilst continuing to
deliver better services to the public.
My focus is to ensure this ongoing programme of change is
planned, managed and delivered in a professional, effective and
efficient manner and continues to meet the strategic priorities of
the Force.
As a member of Chief Officer Group, I also contribute to
managing the future direction of the Force.