Sussex Police chief constable reappointed to role

Mrs Shiner has been chief constable in Sussex since June 2020, but retired on 31 August

Jo Shiner has been reappointed as the Chief Constable of Sussex Police until 2027.

Mrs Shiner has been chief constable in Sussex since June 2020 but retired on 31 August with plans to rejoin after a short break under the Retire and Rejoin scheme.

Her reappointment was recommended by Katy Bourne, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex (PCC), who is responsible for appointing the chief constable and holding them to account.

Mrs Bourne said the scheme did not create any additional costs to the taxpayer.

On Friday Mrs Shiner answered questions from councillors who are members of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel as they met to ratify the decision.

Mrs Bourne told the panel: “I consider it to be in the absolute best interests of Sussex Police to retain the services of someone who is a proven leader with experience, integrity and professionalism, who is committed to delivering the highest possible policing services to our local communities and to keeping Sussex safe.”

The Retire and Rejoin scheme is open to all police officers in England and Wales regardless of rank and is designed to retain skills, knowledge and experience.

It allows for any officer to formally resign and take a break of at least one month before being reappointed at the same rank.

Reflecting on her 32-year career as a police officer, Mrs Shiner said it had been a "real privilege".

She added: "We talk about data integrity and numbers, at the end of all this is a person, a vulnerable person who has called us a time of crisis that expects a good, proportionate and fair policing service, and that’s exactly what I have striven to deliver.”

Jo Shiner answered questions from the Sussex Police and Crime Panel which met to confirm her reappointment

Members were also presented with the priorities proposed to be included in the PCC's new Sussex Police and Crime Plan at the meeting: improve public trust and confidence, relentlessly disrupt serious violence and organised crime, and support victims, witnesses and communities.

Speaking after the meeting, panel chairman Mark Baynham said: “The panel was delighted to recommend the reappointment of Jo Shiner, who they agreed had done a fantastic job as chief constable over the past four years."