Chief constable applies to 'retire and re-join'

THE chief constable of Northumbria Police is set to retire and rejoin the force as part of a national scheme.

- DAVID HUNTLEY

Chief constable Vanessa Jardine is set to retire after receiving approval from the Police and Crime Commissioner but, subject to the agreement of the Police and Crime Panel, will rejoin after a short break.

The move would take place under the national retire and rejoin scheme, widely used by police officers up and down the country. It does not create any additional costs to the taxpayer.

It is a scheme designed to retain skills and experience at all levels of policing. It allows for any police officer, including a chief constable, to formally resign as an officer before being reappointed into the same rank. This process requires a break in service of at least one calendar month.