Chief Constable Vaughan began his career in 1992 in Wiltshire Police. He worked in various uniform and detective roles before moving up through the ranks to work in major, serious and organised crime, citizen-focused policing, partnerships and safer neighbourhoods. He later became Head of CID.

After successfully completing the Strategic Command Course in 2011, he joined Dorset Police as Assistant Chief Constable in May 2012.

He was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2013, where he led on strategic change, planning, performance, professional standards, people and community focus, and media and communication. Chief Constable Vaughan also led various regional collaboration programmes, including the forensic service collaboration and the Strategic Alliance with Devon & Cornwall Police.

In February 2017, he was appointed Deputy Chief Constable (Chief Operating Officer) for the Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Strategic Alliance, before his appointment as Chief Constable for Dorset in April 2018.

Chief Constable Vaughan also leads nationally for forensic science for the National Police Chiefs Council and has delivered significant strategic change in forensic delivery through the national Transforming Forensics programme.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours in 2018.

Chief Constable Vaughan said: “I began to seriously consider retirement this time last year but delayed my decision due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which I chaired the Local Resilience Forum to coordinate the joint response to the emergency. Moving forward into this year I chose to delay any announcements on retirement to ensure they did not distract candidates and the electorate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, which were held in May.

“I will take retirement in the autumn at the end of what is predicted to be a very busy summer. This will allow me to help our new Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, to develop a new Police and Crime Plan to take the Force through to 2024/25, set a new budget for next year and select a new Chief Constable.

“I cannot emphasise enough how very proud I am of the officers, police staff and volunteers who give so much every day to serve and protect the public. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the dedication, commitment and professionalism they have shown, especially during the last 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has not been an easy time for anyone, but they have continued to do all they can to keep people safe. 

“Dorset Police is an exceptional organisation providing exceptional services to the public. During recent years Dorset Police has achieved a ‘Good’ rating in all 10 areas inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and this is something I am immensely proud of.

“I set our organisation the vision of becoming a police force that provides an outstanding service to the people of Dorset; particularly the most vulnerable and I have every belief that this is achievable over the coming years.

“It has been an extraordinary honour and a privilege to lead Dorset Police in a variety of chief officer roles over the last nine years. This is a period in my professional life that I will cherish. Without doubt, the last year has proved to me that this county is made up of strong and caring communities and I am proud to call it my home.”

Chief Constable Vaughan will be continuing with a range of volunteering roles that he undertakes, but hopes to find more time for his passions surrounding natural history, travel and sailing.