David Bailey Dip CIPR

David Bailey is a senior communications and engagement leader with almost three decades of experience shaping how policing interacts with citizens, communities, and workforce audiences. Known for championing the intelligent use of technology, he has helped policing modernise the way it communicates, listens, and collaborates.

David began his career with Staffordshire Police, where he gained extensive experience across the full range of policing communications — from neighbourhood engagement to homicide investigations and counter-terrorism. His work at local level built a foundation for a national impact that continues today.

He has played a central role in several major national policing programmes. As the lead for the NPCC Social Media Project, David drove a transformational approach that helped policing adopt consistent, professional, and digitally confident engagement with the public. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he served as the national public messaging
lead for the NPCC’s Operation Talla, helping coordinate clear and timely communication across all police forces.

David also led communications and engagement for the National Enabling Programme, supporting the rollout of Microsoft 365 across policing — one of the sector’s most significant and successful modernisation programmes. He now heads strategic communications and events at the Police Digital Service, supporting policing’s digital
and data ambitions across the UK.

Internationally, David is recognised for his expertise in modern engagement. He has presented at the ANZPAA conference in Australia and New Zealand, the World Communications Conference in Vienna, delivered training to local police in Palestine, and contributed to the Europol Social Media Handbook.

His career reflects a longstanding commitment to helping policing communicate more clearly, engage more effectively, and build stronger relationships with the communities it serves.