The new chairman of Dyfed-Powys Police Authority says he will work hard to ensure the authority hands over a positive legacy to the new Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) when that person is elected in November this year.

Cllr Gwyn Hopkins, from Carmarthenshire, was officially elected on Monday (June 25th) at the Authority's Annual General Meeting held at Dyfed Powys Police Force Headquarters, Llangunnor.

As the last ever chairman of the authority, which scrutinises and holds to account the performance of the Force, one of Cllr Hopkins most important tasks will be to oversee the biggest change in the governance of the police in almost 200 years. On November 22, this year, the authority will be abolished and replaced by a publically-elected PCC.

Mr Hopkins said: "It is an honour and a privilege to be elected as chair and it will be my role to ensure the authority continues to hold the Chief Constable to account for the work the police undertake on behalf of the public.

"The police are facing unprecedented cost reductions and changes. Despite these challenges the authority and force will work together closely to ensure communities across mid and west Wales continue to receive an excellent policing service.

"Dyfed Powys Police continues to be one of the best performing police forces in England & Wales and consistently tops the chart in many areas of performance.

"The authority is justifiably proud of its achievements and is working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the PCC in the hope they will be able to develop the positive legacy we hand over."

A fluent Welsh speaker, Cllr Hopkins was born and raised in Llanelli, in Carmarthenshire. After leaving school he worked in the local steel industry for five years and later graduated from Swansea University. He worked in the Higher Education Sector throughout the remainder of his career, for the most part as a lecturer in Mathematics.

Cllr Hopkins joined Dyfed-Powys Police Authority in June 2004 and has been vice-chair of the authority as well as a member of several committees including the Finance & General Purposes Committee and the Planning Performance & Scrutiny Committee.

As a Carmarthenshire County Councillor for the Llangennech ward and member of Llangennech Community Council, he has played an active role in his local community for many years. He is a governor of Llangennech Junior School and Stradey Welsh-medium Comprehensive School.