Notts chief constable to retire

The Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire, Julia Hodson, intends to retire on September 1 2012, on completion of 30 years’ police service.

Her decision was formally reported to the police authority on Wednesday.

Ms Hodson said that she was keen to notify the authority of her decision in plenty of time.

A recruitment process to select a new Chief Constable for Nottinghamshire will now begin, with the appointment likely to be announced in December 2011.

An early front-runner is thought to be the respected deputy chief constable of Nottinghamshire, Chris Eyre was acting chief constable of Leicestershire before being appointed.

Mr Eyre and assistant chief constables Paul Scarrott and Paul Broadbent were hired by Ms Hodson at a time when Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) branded the Command Team at Nottinghamshire Police weak.

During Ms Hodson's three year tenure, the force was labelled the worst in England and Wales but is now the most improved.

She leaves at a time when police officers with 30 years pensionable service are being forcibly retired under Regulation A19 to save money.

She follows the highly-regarded and able county division commander, Chief Superintendent Dave Wakelin through the exit door. Mr Wakelin had reached 30 years service too.

Jon Collins, chairman of the police authority, said: “We are grateful that the Chief Constable has given us plenty of notice of her decision. This will enable us to put appropriate plans in place for a smooth changeover.

“Nationally, this is a time of great change and challenge for policing, but our local residents should be reassured that crime in Nottinghamshire is currently at a 30 year low and is continuing to fall faster than anywhere else in the country. We fully intend to keep it that way.”