Chief Constable's Retirement

It has now been confirmed that our Chief Constable in Kent, Mike Fuller, has been appointed as the Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service. I would like to congratulate Mike on his well deserved appointment.

I believe that it is hugely impressive, and potentially of great benefit to the CPS, that Mike was called to the Bar on the basis of a very demanding course of part-time study, while serving as a leading police officer (and I say that knowing how demanding the course can be even when done on a full-time basis).

Mike Fuller has the academic and vocational training in criminal procedure, as well as a wealth of relevant experience as a senior police officer, but, not having practised as a prosecutor, will still have the fresh perspective to shake up some of the less successful aspects of the CPS.

The CPS will certainly benefit from the fearless and independent perspective that I know Mike will bring to the job.

The CPS does not benefit from local and democratic(ish) oversight that we on the Kent Police Authority give to our Chief Constable. However, I believe that Mike will be just the person to call the CPS to account, working with Parliament's Justice Select Commitee, which I was delighted to see played a key role in his selection.

Mike leaves the Kent Force in good shape and can take particular pride in the success of the new neighbourhood policing model and the real rapport which he established with the Kent public.

Our excellent Deputy Chief Constable, Adrian Leppard, will act as Temporary Chief Constable when Mike takes up his new position, until we are able to appoint a new Chief Constable on a permanent basis to take the Force forward.

Having recently served on the selection panel that chose three excellent Assistant Chief Constables, I am confident that we are well placed locally to make the right choice for the people of Kent.

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Chief Constable's Retirement