‘33 years of service feels as though it passed in the blink of an eye’
LONGEST-SERVING CHIEF CONSTABLE IN UK DECIDES TO CALL IT A DAY
SIMON Cole, the chief constable of Leicestershire Police, is to retire, the force has announced.
Mr Cole has been in the role since he was appointed in 2010, making him the longest-serving chief constable in the UK.
He has been a serving officer for 33 years and said it had been a “great honour” to lead the force in the county where he grew up.
He will remain in post until the spring, by which time a successor should have been appointed.
Rupert Matthews, police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, will begin the recruitment process soon.
Mr Cole said: “I am proud to have served with officers, staff and volunteers who give so much every day.
“I would like to thank my colleagues for their tireless dedication, commitment and professionalism.
“Every day, for more than a decade, their unstoppable acts of bravery, compassion and determination have motivated me.
“They have reminded me daily why I became a police officer and the positive difference it makes.
“It has been a privilege to lead this force in such a vibrant city and two stunningly beautiful counties.
“In particular, I am proud to have been able to strengthen Leicestershire Police by making it more representative of the people and communities we serve.
“I know that commitment and hard work will continue.”
GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
Mr Cole grew up in Leicestershire but began his career in West Midlands Police in 1988, working in various uniform and detective roles.
He joined Hampshire Constabulary as assistant chief constable in September 2003 and then, after his promotion to deputy chief constable in 2008, he moved to the top job in Leicestershire in 2010.
He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours in 2014, and the Sir Robert Peel medal for problem-solving policing from the University of Cambridge last year.
He said: “I would like to thank the countless organisations, community groups and individuals who have welcomed me, given me advice, and made each working day an opportunity to learn, reflect, and be able to make a difference.”
The force is in “good shape financially and operationally”, he said, adding: “During recent years, Leicestershire Police has been assessed as ‘good’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and
Fire and Rescue Services and this is something I am proud of.
“I look forward to the results of our recent inspection. Finally, I would like to thank my family for supporting me on this wonderful, demanding journey.
“Policing has asked much of them, too, and I am impossibly grateful.
“My 33 years of service feels as though it has passed in the blink of an eye, not least because new challenges, new ideas and new people have made every day different.
“But what has remained constant for me has been a focus on people and teamwork.
“I hope my time as chief has made those priorities, so fundamental to policing, clear and felt by the people of Leicestershire and Rutland. “With that in mind, I have chosen to hand over the armband of my team this spring, proud of my service and what Leicestershire Police continues to achieve.
“I am extraordinarily grateful to all those who have supported me in policing – and to all those who choose to make a career in it. It is brilliant. It is tough. And it is of a value and importance almost immeasurable.”
I’m grateful to all those who have supported me in policing - and to all those who choose to make a career in it
Simon Cole
‘A HARD ACT FO FOLLOW’
The PCC, Mr Matthews, said: “On behalf of the residents of our city and two counties, I would like to formally thank the chief constable for 12 years of exceptional service.
“His commitment has, throughout that period, been unswerving and we live in a safer place thanks to his leadership.” Mr Matthews’ predecessor, Lord (Willy) Bach, said: “I am sorry to hear that Simon Cole has announced his intention to stand down as chief constable.
“I was privileged to work very closely with him for five years.
“He’s been a fantastic leader, and we’ve all been extremely fortunate in having him with us for more than a decade.
“His experience, intelligence, communication skills, deep understanding of the complexities involved in policing our diverse city and counties, and, above all, his humanity have made him a popular, respected, well-known figure.
“There will be time to thank him properly in due course, but one thing is certain – he will be greatly missed.”
Adam Commons, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: “Mr Cole will be a very hard act to follow.
“Since he started, he has always been approachable and visited staff across the force regularly, listening to their concerns and took the time to talk to people.
“He has led us through periods of government austerity and, more recently, an unprecedented global pandemic. I’m very lucky to have had him as chief constable since I took over as branch chair.
“While we might not always agree on everything, I’ve always been able to pick up the phone and talk things through, which has been a huge benefit for all our members.
“His contribution to our force is immeasurable and on behalf of myself, secretary Jon Carter-Lang and all at the federation, we wish him all the best in a very well-deserved retirement when he steps down.”