Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney joins NPAS as COO

Image courtesy NPAS

Chief Supt Gaffney will also take on the role of NPAS Accountable Manager once approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In the interim, NPAS Head of Business Services Glenn Shelley will take on the temporary position. 

Fiona joins NPAS as a West Yorkshire Police officer, bringing with her a wealth of operational experience, strategic leadership and a commitment to public service, evidenced by her policing career so far, which began in 1995 with the Royal Military Police, where she served in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. 

Since then, Fiona’s career has spanned multiple forces and specialist roles.

Fiona (above) said: “I am delighted to be joining NPAS. I’m really looking forward to supporting the teams in delivering their operational response, while also understanding how technology might help us get better. 

"I also look forward to spending time out at the bases and in departments, understanding the opportunities and challenges in the world of police aviation.”

Fiona’s recent role saw her managing complex budgets, national portfolios and high-level collaborations – experience that will be invaluable as NPAS continues to evolve and modernise.

As NPAS welcomed Fiona, it also extended thanks and best wishes to Chief Superintendent Vicki White, who retires after three decades of dedicated service to policing. Vicki’s leadership and commitment to police air support has led the service through some major developments, not least the ongoing implementation of a multimillion-pound fleet replacement programme.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as Accountable Manager,” Vicki said. “I’m incredibly proud of what the service and people who deliver it, achieve every day. It truly is life-saving stuff and they make a real difference to the safety and security of our communities and our emergency services colleagues."