Assistant Chief Constable - Territorial Operations

Dave Pickard was born in Ryton near Gateshead, and lives in the Tees Valley.

He started his policing career with Cambridgeshire Police in 1984, and then moved back to the North East in 1987 where he joined Durham Constabulary and was posted to Darlington.

Dave spent time in Peterlee and Consett in both operational and CID roles before being posted back to Darlington as an Inspector. He then was promoted to Chief Inspector in 1998 to a Headquarters role with Durham Constabulary’s Force Inspectorate. He then moved back to Peterlee as Chief Inspector Operations.

In 2002 he joined Cleveland Police as Superintendent in charge of Operations at Stockton District and in 2004 he took over as Chief Superintendent in charge of the Stockton District. 

In 2006 he moved to Headquarters to head up the Force’s Operational Performance Team and then in 2007 Dave was asked to act up as Assistant Chief Constable with the portfolio of Territorial Operations.

In July 2008, still as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, he took responsibility for the portfolio of Crime and Operations.   His appointment as Assistant Chief Constable follows the promotion of Derek Bonnard to Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police.

Dave said: “I am delighted, honoured and proud to be appointed as Assistant Chief Constable of Cleveland Police. I have worked closely with the Executive Team and the Police Authority over the last two years and I am looking forward to continuing that work to ensure that we protect our communities and that we deliver a citizen focused policing service that they can be truly proud of.”

Dave holds a degree in Criminology from Northumbria University and outside of work is a keen motorcyclist.