A POLICE officer has returned to the area where he grew up for a new role.

Jon Cummins has been appointed Assistant Chief Constable for Response and Neighbourhoods with Avon and Somerset Police.

He joins from Dyfed-Powys Police, having previously worked for the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police during his 19-year policing career.

Jon was appointed following a rigorous selection process involving several high-calibre candidates and began his role on April 1.

“I’m delighted to join Avon and Somerset Police, an organisation I’ve long admired,” he said.

And he revealed a personal connection to the force area.

“This role holds personal significance for me, connecting me to where my late father lived for over 30 years and where I spent my formative years,” he said.

“I’m honoured by my appointment and excited to start to make a difference.

“I’m looking forward to meeting colleagues, partners, and communities across the force in the coming weeks and building strong relationships.”

Jon’s policing career began in 2005 at South Wales Police, where he took on roles in response, neighbourhood policing, local investigations, and the Roads Policing Unit.

In 2009, he transferred to the Metropolitan Police, undertaking frontline operational roles within three inner-city London Boroughs and participating in the public order response to the 2011 London riots.

He joined Dyfed-Powys Police in 2014, where he served as a Basic Command Unit Commander, Head of Specialist Operations, and Head of Uniform Policing with responsibility for local policing, before more recently taking on the role of Head of Criminal Justice and Custody.

Jon is currently an accredited Gold Commander across disciplines including specialist firearms, public order, and multi-agency incident command.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “I’m really pleased that Jon will be joining us and I look forward to working with him.

“His values closely match ours and that, combined with his significant experience across several police forces and passion for policing, will be a real asset to us in Avon and Somerset.”