Staffordshire Chief Constable Jane Sawyers retires

Chief Constable Jane Sawyers was appointed temporary chief constable in 2014 before being given the job permanently

The chief constable of Staffordshire is retiring after 33 years with the force.

Jane Sawyers joined the force straight from school and was posted to Cannock before moving to the drugs squad and gaining promotions to become chief superintendent in 2007.

She said deciding when to retire had not been easy.

Ms Sawyers was head of Professional Standards when the force was investigated over failings over the 2002 gangland killing of Kevin Nunes.

Five men were convicted of his murder in 2008 and later cleared on appeal. An IPCC investigation ruled four senior police officers - including Ms Sawyer - would not face misconduct hearings over claims they failed to declare evidence.

However, the report said there was "broad agreement there were serious failings at Staffordshire Police".

Ms Sawyers admitted mistakes were made "without question" in the original investigation into his death.

"We've never lost sight of that fact that actually at the very beginning of this a man lost his life and a people have lost a loved one which is tragic and it is terrible that mistakes were made and no one has been brought to justice."

Gareth Morgan, former deputy chief constable of Avon and Somerset, is set to replace her.

More updates on this story

Ms Sawyers said she "could not have asked for anything more" from her time with the Staffordshire force.

"I am contacted very regularly by members of the public expressing gratitude and thanks for selfless actions of officers and staff, and this is wonderful to hear.

"I am so proud to have been a Staffordshire Police officer for my whole career. It doesn't happen very often so it's been an honour protect my home county with the amazing staff I have around me," she said.