Tom Harding

Assistant Chief Constable · College of Policing · company speakers →

Tom Harding serves as the College of Policing’s National Director of Operational Standards. Tom graduated in Law from Leicester University and completed the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham University. After qualifying as a solicitor in 2006, he worked for one of Europe’s largest law firms before joining his home force, West Mercia Police, as a police officer in 2008. Throughout his career, Tom has held a variety of uniform and detective roles, progressing to the rank of Assistant Chief Constable. Among his proudest achievements are leading efforts to combat Child Criminal Exploitation and developing an award-winning acquisitive crime strategy, We Don’t Buy Crime. This innovative approach, created in partnership with academia, has delivered significant crime reductions over several years and is now adopted by forces across England and Wales. Tom has also provided expert advice to the Home Office on acquisitive crime for several years and has led on research into undertsanding the stolen goods market. A qualified Strategic Firearms Commander, Gold Public Order Commander, and strong advocate for problem-solving, Tom is passionate about community-focused policing. In his current role at the College, Tom oversees all aspects of operational policing. His team drives improvements by sharing best practice and setting standards that strengthen public trust and keep communities safe. Recent initiatives include enhancements to neighbourhood policing, developing a new Code of Ethics, improvements in vetting, public order guidance, personal safety training, firearms licensing, and significant work to launch the new national centre to tackle violence against women and girls and public protection.

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