A LEADING York police officer has swapped her role as the city’s Safer Neighbourhood Commander for a once-in-a-lifetime experience across the Pond with the FBI, writes Hannah Bryan.

Superintendent Lisa Winward has jetted off to America after beating off competition from more than 50 international applicants to secure a place on the ten-week, FBI-funded leadership training course at the National FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

With the aim of retaining North Yorkshire Police’s status as the lowest crime area in England, she will learn about intelligence-based policing and the tactics, strategy and theory behind leadership from the American experts.

Supt Winward said it was a “fantastic development opportunity”.

“I am very fortunate to have the chance to learn best policing practice from others across the world and not only will this experience benefit me when I return, but I hope it will benefit the communities of York and North Yorkshire as well.”

Supt Winward, who began her policing career as a Special Constable in York, in 1993 will return to her role in January.

She said: “I am very much looking forward to coming back to serve the communities of York in the new year and will be making every effort to make good use of what I will learn on the course.”

Taking over her role while she is away is Superintendent Aubrey Smith who, with 26 years’ of policing experience, is relishing the challenge.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work in the City of York and continue the excellent partnership working that has reduced crime, improved detections and made the city an even safer place to live and to visit. I am extremely proud to have been given the role and will be fully committed to the job.”

Chief Constable, Grahame Maxwell, who attended the FBI leadership course earlier in his career, said: “The course is a fantastic opportunity for Lisa to develop her skills at a world-renowned institution. When she returns and begins to put into practice what she has learnt it will be of great benefit to the force and the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York.”

To read about Supt Winward’s experiences and keep up-to-date with her trip read her weekly blog at northyorkshire.police.uk or follow her on twitter.com/lisawinward