Mr Richards took office on July 1, 2025, becoming the first non-Gibraltarian Commissioner since1997. There were also significant vacancies in the RGP’s senior ranks, requiring Mr Richards to build a newleadership team during his first months in office. Mr Richards wants more local applicants, people who understand Gibraltar’s culture, communityconnections and languages, and says a new Government bursary will help in that respect. Like his predecessors in the post, Mr Richards believes some demands currently placed on policeofficers could be handled elsewhere. After a year in Gibraltar, Mr Richards said one of his strongest impressions was of the closeness ofthe community and its willingness to support others.