Chief constable 'retires' for a month before return

Chief Constable of Sussex Police Jo Shiner formally retired on 31 August.

The chief constable of Sussex Police has retired from the force - but is set to rejoin after a short break.

Jo Shiner, who was appointed to the role in June 2020 and was Sussex's first female chief constable, formally retired on 31 August.

But as part of the force’s Retire and Rejoin scheme, she will be formally recommended by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to rejoin as chief constable after a month.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave McLaren becomes acting chief constable until 30 September.

Ms Shiner has more than 30 years' policing experience and is a former assistant chief constable for Kent Police.

Sussex PCC Katy Bourne will formally recommend to Sussex Police and the Crime Panel that Ms Shiner is reappointed to her role.

This will be subject to a confirmation hearing on 27 September.

If approved, Ms Shiner will rejoin the force on a fixed-term contract until August 2027.

Retire and Rejoin scheme

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.

It does not create any additional costs to the taxpayer, a Sussex PCC spokesman said.

The NHS offers a similar scheme for retiring staff.