The Bedfordshire Police chief constable will “retire” in October before returning to the post, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has announced.
Police officers usually retire after completing three decades with policing, but a scheme has been introduced to allow them to carry on their service as a warranted officer in an existing or agreed alternative role.
The PCC told Tuesday’s Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel (September 17) that the force will have a temporary chief for “some weeks” from next month.
“All police officers are entitled, after 30 years service, to take the opportunity to maximise their pension position and return to office”, said Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard (Labour).
“I have taken the decision, at his request, for the chief constable [Trevor Rodenhurst] to take advantage of that opportunity.
“The chief constable will be not in office for a matter of some weeks in October and then returning to duty in November.
“The current deputy chief constable will be the acting chief constable”, the PCC said.
In a statement following the meeting, Bedfordshire Police said the chief constable will need to retire for one month before being re-hired.
It confirmed that deputy chief constable Dan Vajzovic will take on the responsibility of temporary chief constable during October.
Mr Rodenhurst told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Bedfordshire is an excellent force which is making great progress thanks to the dedication and effort of our workforce.
“I recently held events with the entire organisation where I set out our future challenges and my vision for the future of Bedfordshire Police.
“And this decision to extend my service shows I’m committed to being part of the exciting journey to continue to build on and improve the service we provide to the public of Bedfordshire,” he said.
“The scheme has individual benefits, but also organisational as it enables us to retain experience and reduces costs associated with attrition for the force.
“Bedfordshire is bucking the trend when it comes to retaining our staff with latest figures showing that more people are staying here in Bedfordshire with the turnover rate continuing to reduce which goes against a national trend which is increasing.
“This scheme is another incentive to encourage our talented officers to remain with Bedfordshire and help us continue to drive improvements to the service we provide to our communities,” he said.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
