Acting Police and Crime Commissioner appointed for Cleveland after Barry Coppinger resignation

Lisa Oldroyd, Assistant Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), was unanimously appointed to step into the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role on Tuesday, September 15.

She replaces former PCC Barry Coppinger, who resigned from his post last week after seven years.

Due to emergency Covid-19 legislation, an election to replace Mr Coppinger cannot take place and national rules state that a temporary replacement must be appointed from within the existing OPCC team.

The next election is due to take place in May next year.

Mrs Oldroyd has more than 18 years of experience working in crime and community safety settings, including leading the development, delivery and performance management of community safety policies in local government.

She has worked for the OPCC since 2017, leading on Crime, Offending and Justice matters across Cleveland and Durham, before taking on the role of Assistant Chief Executive in June 2020.

Mrs Oldroyd said: “My focus for next eight months is to steward the key responsibilities of the PCC role and supportively scrutinise the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police as he progresses the force’s journey of improvement.

"The OPCC will continue its work supporting victims, reducing offending and being responsive to the views of all of our communities.

“Having played a key role in helping to develop the latest Police and Crime Plan, it is natural that I am enthusiastic about working to deliver its objectives on behalf of Cleveland residents.”

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