Chief constable to retire after cancer diagnosis

Chief Constable Kate Meynell was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell is to retire after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Ms Meynell said she was diagnosed in the spring, and had been undergoing "intensive medical treatment".

While her prognosis was positive, she said, she could not "foresee a time in the near future when I will be able to give my all to the role".

Before retiring in March next year, Ms Meynell said she planned to undertake limited duties and support the work of the Nottingham Inquiry, the public inquiry under way following the 13 June 2023 Nottingham attacks, which saw three people killed.

The process of finding a permanent replacement would begin immediately, the force said

In a statement, Ms Meynell said: "The force, and the public of Nottinghamshire, need a healthy, strong and fully-focused chief constable, and because ill health prevents me from continuing to perform the role in the way I would want, I have informed the police and crime commissioner of my intention to retire."

Police and crime commissioner Gary Godden added: "I understand this will have been a very difficult decision for chief constable Meynell to make, and in these circumstances, but I am grateful to the chief constable for notifying me of her decision at the earliest opportunity, as this will allow me to take immediate steps in the best interests of the force."

Deputy chief constable Steve Cooper, who has filling in behind Ms Meynell, will continue in the role, Godden said, while steps are taken towards the recruitment and appointment of a permanent successor.