Agenda item

          This was an additional item which was included at the request of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Matthew Scott.

2.      Mr Scott presented the item and some of the key highlights included the following:

          a)      The Chief Constable, Mr Tim Smith, was required to obtain the Police and Crime Commissioner’s permission to participate in the ‘Retire and Rejoin’ Scheme.  The Police and Crime Commissioner set out his reasons for supporting Mr Smith’s application to participate in the Scheme in the report provided to the Panel.

 b)      For the purpose of reassurance to the Panel, it was explained that the Retire and Rejoin Scheme was open to all police officers in England and Wales and designed to retain skills, knowledge and experience within the police service at all ranks. It had been recognised by the former Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire. The position was also supported by other national bodies, including the NPCC, APCC, College of Policing and the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association.

 c)      Mr Scott explained to Members that the current advice from the Home Office required the appointment to be treated as a new appointment, falling within the scope of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (PRSRA).

          d)      If successful in his appointment, Mr Smith would retire on the 28 February and then rejoin on 1 April 2025 with his pension abated. He would be issued with a new term of appointment which would commence on 1 April 2025 and cease on 7 December 2029, to ensure his overall term in post did not exceed the mandated 7 years.  Deputy Chief Constable Mr Peter Ayling would be appointed Temporary Chief Constable for the period 28 February to 1 April 2025.

          e)      It was reconfirmed to the Panel that they had a statutory duty, under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 to: review the appointment of the Chief Constable in the same way as if it was a first-time appointment; make a recommendation on the proposed appointment; or, if two thirds of the Panel indicated they were not in favour, veto the appointment.

3.      In answer to questions and comments, the following was stated:

          a)      The appointment of Mr Ayling to cover the period of time Chief Constable Smith was absent, would generate a cost to the force. However, it was not envisaged to be a significant sum.  It was further clarified that there would be an ongoing diminishing cost, due to the Chief Constable’s pension being abated.

          b)      It was confirmed that the Police and Crime Commissioner was able to remove the Chief Constable before his term of office ended in December 2029, and that the Chief Constable could retire before this time.  The notice period was three months.

          c)      It was confirmed that the scheme was open to any officer within Kent Police. Succession planning had been considered throughout all areas, although it was acknowledged that the selection of Chief Officers was a national process.

4.      RESOLVED the Panel were unanimous in their recommendation that the

          Commissioner appoint Mr Smith as Chief Constable of Kent Police.