Warwickshire police to retire its most experienced officers

[dutchman]

Warwickshire Police are set to follow their neighbours in Coventry and force their most experienced officers to retire to help cut costs.



The Chief Constable of the force (pictured) has agreed to bring in a rule where anyone with 30 years experience will be forced into retirement.

Around 35 officers will reach that by March 2012, although some have already indicated their wish to retire.

Coventry’s police brought in the rule – known as A19 – last year and over 200 staff have already been let go.

Warwickshire’s force has been told to reduce its budget by £22.9 million over the next four years, which is expected to lead to around 450 job losses in all.

Chief Constable Keith Bristow said: “We are going to struggle to achieve all the reductions in the size of our workforce that we need to without using all of the tools available to us, including A19. I deeply regret having to make this decision and take personal responsibility for doing so.”

“I recognise that this action affects people who have given 30 years of dedicated public service, who have been brave and responded to all the challenges faced by all police officers during their service, only then to be asked to retire.”

“Use of A19 is not something we wish to do but we must operate with a smaller workforce, both officers and staff, in the future and I am sorry that we have to take this action.”

It has been agreed as soon as the force is operating within budget, they will discuss whether to discontinue A19.