Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has announced his plans to appoint Charlotte Chirico as his new Deputy.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC will present a full report to the Police and Crime Panel outlining Miss Chirico's experience and suitability for the role at a Confirmation Hearing on January 13th.
If approved for the role, Miss Chirico will support the delivery of the PCC's Police and Crime Plan, in particular his work to strengthen the voice of victims and witnesses of crime.
She will also chair and collaborate with the Local Criminal Justice Board and drive forward the Commissioner's plans to combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The PCC is keen to further develop activity that ensures the lived experience of victims is embedded through his commissioning processes and believes Miss Chirico's insight will bring value to this work.
A law graduate from Nottingham (Kaplan) Law School, Miss Chirico has accumulated seven years of criminal justice experience, primarily in criminal legal practice.
During her five years of service at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Miss Chirico served as a District Crown Prosecutor in two different CPS areas and then as a Crown Prosecution Service Agent Prosecutor. For short periods of time, she deputised as a Senior District Crown Prosecutor and Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor.
In addition, Miss Chirico sat on three scrutiny panels as a statutory stakeholder in relation to out of court disposals (youth and adult) and engaged on multiple occasions as the CPS representative at victims and witness meetings, being a key point of contact for external stakeholders.
In other experience, Miss Chirico attended police force meetings across Surrey, Sussex and London South to review performance data and provide solutions to inadequate data performance.
And, as a unitary councillor, she took a seat on two scrutiny boards; the Children's and Young Scrutiny Panel and Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Considerations and had direct oversight of seven magistrates' courts in Surrey and Sussex, while working for the CPS in the South East.
In announcing his proposed candidate, Mr Matthews said: "I am delighted to announce the proposed appointment of Charlotte Chirico as Deputy PCC. Miss Chirico has extensive criminal justice and partnership experience and has worked at a strategic level in previous roles to address risk and improve the quality of justice services for the public. These skills will prove invaluable to my work to build safe and prosperous communities.
"Miss Chirico also has an in-depth understanding of the victim's journey through the criminal justice system and the need for robust support at every stage of their recovery. This knowledge will be critical as I seek to build confidence and trust in policing and deliver the priorities outlined in my Police and Crime Plan.
"I am confident Miss Chirico has the necessary skills to fulfil the Deputy role and complement my own approach and I have every faith she would take on her new responsibilities with passion, professionalism and integrity."
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 provides PCCs with the statutory power to appoint a Deputy. The process is not subject to any specific criteria or guidance, and it is entirely the Commissioner's decision on who is appointed and how the selection is determined.
Miss Chirico will assume her new role in January 2025, pending the outcome of the Confirmation Hearing.
She will replace former Deputy PCC Rani Mahal who stepped down from her role in December.
Rupert Matthews added: "I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Rani for all her support and commitment during her time as my Deputy. She made a great member of our small team and will undoubtedly be missed."
