Gwent Police Chief Superintendent Kevin Price QPM was on Saturday (11 September) bestowed with an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wales in recognition of his commitment to the people and community of South East Wales.
Chief Superintendent Price was born in Newport in 1962. He joined the Gwent Constabulary in 1980, having previously served as a police cadet. He served in various roles throughout his career in uniform and detective posts, the majority of which have been in Newport.
In 2001, as Chief Superintendent, he took command of the Newport City Basic Command Unit (BCU). After taking up this post he was responsible for a number of significant achievements. To reduce violence in the City he worked closely with the Local Authority and introduced, among other things, wardens and a scheme of licensing door staff at licensed premises.
Chief Superintendent Price’s impact on local communities in Newport has been significant in making it a safer place and improving residents quality of life. He is held in very high regard by the local council with which he built a relationship of mutual respect based upon his performance and proven long term credibility. He forged strong links with the many minority communities in Newport, which resulted in a strong relationship of trust being built. This has been critical at times of inter-community dispute and he has taken opportunities which have been presented during times of adversity to develop new relationships and to build upon existing relationships. These relationships have been recognised by many Community Groups and Associations, particularly by the Yemeni Community in Newport and the Pakistan Association of Newport.
Chief Superintendent Price adopts a very high profile style of leadership, which has included him taking command of a significant number of operations. In 2002, he and his team won a Home Office Award for tackling the drug ‘Middle Market’ with Operation Corrolla which dismantled an organised crime group which had been in operation in the Newport area.
Since he was trained as a hostage negotiator in 1993, Chief Superintendent Price has been recognised for his expertise in the area. In 1998 he became the Welsh Regional Co-ordinator representing the Welsh Forces at a national level. In the same year he was also selected to be a member of the National Cadre of Negotiators. The expertise of members of this group is internationally acclaimed and they are frequently called upon to advise and assist with international hostage situations.
He has attended the FBI academy in the USA and lectured on hostage negotiation. He has performed the role of Umpire in the National Counter Terrorism Programme. He is a member of the advisory team, which provides guidance and advice to the Association of Chief Police Officers in respect of the negotiation in Counter Terrorism. In 2005 he represented the UK at the North American Hostage Negotiators’ Conference.
Chief Superintendent Price has served as Chairman of the Superintendents’ Association and takes a keen interest in the welfare and interests of his colleagues. In 2001, on behalf of the Superintendent’s Association, he played a significant role in developing the national policy in relation to the ‘Less than Lethal Option’ for dealing with potential firearms incidents.
In March 2009 at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace Chief Superintendent Price was awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal (QPM)which is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service.
He is married with two sons and lives in Monmouthshire.
Commenting on being made an Honorary Fellow, Chief Superintendent Price said:
” It’s a great honour and I am immensely proud to receive this Fellowship. I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve with for over 30 years. Newport has been a challenging place to work, but I have had the pleasure of working with so many good people. From professionals to volunteers we have all been trying to improve the quality of life in the community.
Cilla Davies, Chair of Gwent Police Authority commented:
“The immense honour being bestowed on Chief Superintendent Price comes as no surprise. Over the last 30 years he has been a wonderful ambassador for Gwent Police, especially with regard to the people of Newport where he has spent a large part of his service.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have had such an exemplary officer within the ranks and I know that he is held in universally high regard by his colleagues and by the communities that he has served.
“On behalf of Gwent Police Authority I would like to congratulate him on his Honorary Fellowship and I would I would like to wish him every success and our very best wishes on his imminent retirement.”
