Dorset Police Chief Constable Amanda Pearson is set to retire this summer after more than 33 years of service.
After leading the Force for 3 years, Chief Constable Pearson said: “I have often said it is an honour and a privilege to lead the Force in the place where I live.”
Amanda has seen much success in her time leading Dorset Police. In the last year crime in Dorset has fallen by 6% against a national decrease of 1.6%.
Dorset Police were also recently honoured for their outstanding work and programs to help women and girls experiencing violence. The Pineapple Project, established in Weymouth in 2022, created safe spaces and community guardians for women and girls. Volunteers are given training on how to spot possible abuse and stand up to abusers in a way that keeps everyone safe, the idea is to become an active bystander.
Dorset Police were also recently recognised for their in-house safety initiative, the Survivor Network. The network offers support to officers and staff affected by sexual harassment, domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls. It was co-designed by survivors to ensure dignity, equity and justice are embedded within the organisational culture and provides a confidential, trauma-informed safe space for staff to be heard.
Chief Constable Pearson said: “Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country. The number of crimes we solve continues to rise. The service we give to victims and our communities is getting stronger and stronger. And we have, year-on-year, showed resilience and pragmatism to balance our budgets in challenging times.”