Paul West has 32 years of policing experience, including 13 years as a chief officer and eight years as the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police. Whilst serving as a Chief Constable, he led the national programme that introduced the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (more generally known as “Sarah’s Law”) in all 43 police forces in England and Wales. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished police service in 2005. Upon retiring, in 2011 and 2012 he served as joint Director of the Indian Police Service Mid-Career Training Programme Phase IV, based at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad, India.

Paul says: "I was aware of much of the good work that YSS undertook with young people during my time as Chief Constable and have been very pleased to see how the organisation's reach has broadened in more recent years, such that they now provide much needed support to a wide range of vulnerable and disadvantaged members of local communities in and around Worcestershire."