HER Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O’Connor QPM CBE, gave a thought-provoking talk to senior members of the criminal justice system, during the annual West Mercia Police Authority lecture.

At the event held at the University of Worcester Mr O’Connor answered a number of questions, from the controversial to the quirky, during An Audience With... event.

Mr O’Connor was Chief Constable of Surrey between 2000 and 2004 before joining the Inspectorate.

He was Deputy Chief of Kent and was appointed Assistant Commissioner in London in 1997, he led the Metropolitan Police Service development strategy following the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 1996 and the CBE in 2002.

Mr O’Connor was welcomed to the lecture by University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, and the Chair of West Mercia Police Authority, Paul Deneen JP DL, who is also President of the University of Worcester’s Alumni Association.

Professor Green, said: “This is the second West Mercia Police Authority lecture at the University of Worcester and we are delighted Denis O’Connor agreed to be the special guest.

“This latest Police Authority lecture further strengthens the important links between our organisations.”

Chair of West Mercia Police Authority, Paul Deneen, said: “Denis O’Connor was a superb guest and regaled guests with his memories and stories from his time in the force. The audience was mostly made up of people who are currently involved in the criminal justice system. This was also an ideal opportunity for the police authority to say a huge thank you to all staff who are involved in such organisations.”