Head of Strategy & Legal Services Michelle Buttery

Michelle began her employment in the Police Service in 2001, when she joined West Midlands Police as deputy force solicitor, following 10 years in private practice.  Her management duties there included 'professionalising' the legal services function; with the department becoming the first police force in-house legal department to gain The Law Society's 'Lexcel' accreditation to recognise its practice management standards of excellence.

In 2005, Michelle took up the post of force solicitor at West Mercia, and led the in-house legal team to re-focus its service delivery and re-position the team to improve its value to the force's strategic priorities.  The department then secured 'Lexcel' status in 2008. 

With the force's restructuring in 2010, Michelle was made head of Strategy & Legal Services, responsible for the force's Strategy & Change, Performance, Corporate Communications and Legal Services departments.  The larger department was formed to lead service improvement, risk management, lesson learning and reputation management for the force.

Michelle is vice chair of the national Association of Police Lawyers, having been chair for two years and a member since 2001.  The Association promotes the effectiveness and efficiency of police legal services within Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and arranges training and the sharing of good practice for the benefit of the police service.