PCC agrees to extend Kent Police chief constable’s tenure
Kent’s police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott has supported a request from Chief Constable Tim Smith to extend his contract for two years.
Under the Retire and Rejoin scheme, Mr Smith will retire from the force on February 28, and return on April 1. Mr Scott has appointed Deputy Chief Constable Peter Ayling to serve as temporary chief constable during this period.
The decision must be ratified at a meeting of the Kent Police and Crime Panel, which will take place on Tuesday February 4.
Mr Smith was promoted to the rank of chief constable in December 2022 with a contract to run until December 2027. If agreed by the panel, he will be in post until December 2029.
Mr Scott said, “I am pleased to make this recommendation to the Police and Crime Panel. Over the past two years, Mr Smith has delivered improved performance, following difficult His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services inspections, cut waiting times for people contacting our Force Control Room, implemented the new Neighbourhood and Divisional Policing Models and crucially, helped to cut crime.
“If agreed, I look forward to working with him to make our town centres and rural communities safer and improve outcomes for victims of crime further.”
Mr Smith said, “I am very pleased with the improvements in the force over the last couple of years, and I’m delighted to be able to be able to continue to lead Kent Police as we go through a period of significant change.
“It is the privilege of a lifetime to lead the force I’ve served in for 33 years, and I look forward to continuing as chief constable, and delivering the Safer Kent Plan for the communities of Kent, if approved by the panel.”