‘Delight’ as top police officer extends contract

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THE county’s top police officer is to stay on for at least another five years after he accepted a new contract.

The decision to extend Chief Constable Rod Hansen’s contract until 2025 comes after a challenging year with lockdown rules needing to be enforced.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl, who offered Mr Hansen the new contract, said it would provide the county and the force some muchneeded stability.

His office said it had been a ‘turbulent year’ policing the pandemic.

Mr Hansen, was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal, in recognition of his distinguished policing career, and was due under the terms of his initial contract to stay until 2022.

During the height of the pandemic,

Mr Hansen regularly gave updates on how the police were explaining, engaging and where necessary enforcing, the current legislation.

Mr Surl said: “I am not alone in my respect of the chief.

“In my assessment, he leads well, his colleagues respect him and he does a fantastic job serving the public of Gloucestershire.

“Good Chief Constables are hard to find and having spoken to the chief, I know he’s happy to stay.

“I’m delighted to extend his contract and provide some stability during these uncertain times.

“We’ll now work together to focus on my six policing priorities which make up my Police and Crime Plan, including the mantra that ‘Every Contact Counts’ and ‘Every Crime Matters’ in Gloucestershire.”