Corporate Director for Policing, Fire & Crime concludes Combined Authority role
Simon Dennis is moving on from his role as the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Corporate Director for Policing, Fire & Crime, having served in strategic leadership, advisory and governance roles for the Office since 2003. Previously Chief Executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, following devolution the Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioning became a responsibility of the York and North Yorkshire Mayor. Mr Dennis has worked to transfer the functions into the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. Following completion of that work, the Combined Authority has agreed to a request from Mr Dennis for voluntary redundancy.
A solicitor by profession, Mr Dennis has served as the former Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s Chief Executive in North Yorkshire and before that, in the equivalent role for Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Earlier in his career he established the first ever in-house legal services function for North Yorkshire Police, acting as strategic legal advisor to Chief Constables for over ten years.
Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime has commended Mr Dennis, one of her most senior staff, for his 21 years of public service to the communities of York & North Yorkshire and across the wider North East region.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
“Simon’s dedicated service to the people of York and North Yorkshire extends over a great many years and although I’ve only been in post for a few months, I would like to pass on my huge thanks to him for all his support and advice in that short time. I’m sure his extensive skills and knowledge will serve him well in the next steps of his career and I wish him the very best in all his endeavours.”
Tim Forber, Chief Constable said:
“I have enjoyed working with Simon over the past nine months and thank him for all his support. Through his work he has contributed to the safety of York and North Yorkshire over many years and I wish him every success in the future.”
Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said:
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Simon during my time with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. He has dedicated his career to supporting the public across North Yorkshire, York and the North East. I wish him all the best for the future.”
Simon Dennis said:
“It has been a huge honour and privilege to serve the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Police, Fire & Crime Commissioners across both York & North Yorkshire and before that, the Police & Crime Commissioners in Cleveland. More recently we’ve completed the transfer of policing, fire and crime functions to become a key part of the Mayor’s programme for York & North Yorkshire.
“Although the time is now right for me to move on, I know my team will serve the Mayor and Deputy Mayor with distinction and professionalism, helping deliver the Mayor’s new statutory plans for this area. I wish both every success in delivering for York & North Yorkshire.
“All Police and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors have dedicated and energetic public servants working hard behind the scenes to get results for the public. The teams I have led are all inspirational, committed to helping communities both to be safe and to feel safe, as well as ensuring that victims of crime have the help they need to cope and recover. I pay tribute to every one of them for making a positive difference for the public every day.”
About Simon Dennis:
Simon Dennis qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has extensive private practice experience, including as a human rights and civil liberties specialist.
Between 2003 and 2014, Simon was the most senior legal advisor to North Yorkshire Police, establishing the force’s first in-house legal department in 2004.
He served as Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer to the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner between 2014 and 2021, including periods of joint service as Chief Executive across both Cleveland and North Yorkshire during that time.
Simon was appointed as the first permanent, whole-time Chief Executive to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in North Yorkshire in 2021. His responsibilities included the role of Monitoring Officer, ensuring that policing and fire governance operated ethically and lawfully. He is a member of the national leadership team of the Association of Policing and Crime Chief Executives.