Assistant Chief Constable Ian Saunders

Ian was raised in Wiltshire and is delighted to return to Wiltshire Police where he began his policing career. He commenced in role as the Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing and Specialist Operations in June 2024.

Ian first joined Wiltshire Police in 1994 and served in a range of uniform and detective roles including the Head of Special Branch, Public Protection and then the Major Crime Investigation Team where he gained accreditation as a Homicide and Counter Terrorism Senior Investigating Officer.

In 2015 he served as the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing for the South West of England and then as the Director of Intelligence for Avon & Somerset Constabulary.

In 2020 he transferred to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on promotion to Detective Chief Superintendent where he served as the Head of CID and the Organised Crime Branch and then as the Head of Legacy and Sensitive Disclosure.

In these roles he gained extensive experience of managing high risk investigations and providing support to victims and communities in a complex and unique policing environment. 

Ian recently completed a post-graduate qualification in Leadership and Management through Queens University in Belfast and has previously completed the Cambridge University MSt programme in Applied Criminology and Police Management.  

In his spare time, Ian enjoys road cycling, golf and hill-walking.