The Chief Constable of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman, will temporarily retire for one day in order to protect her pension benefits. This decision comes after she received approval from Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin to join the national “retire and rehire” scheme, which aims to retain the skills and experience of police personnel.
The scheme allows officers to retire from their positions before being reappointed to the same rank the following day. In Chief Constable Blakeman’s case, this means she will formally retire only to return to her role at an annual salary of £170,000. This brief interruption in service ensures her pension entitlement remains intact without affecting her lump sum or monthly payments.
Supporting the Community Through Experienced Leadership
In a statement, Chief Constable Blakeman expressed her commitment to continuing her role, highlighting the importance of experienced leadership in the current changing landscape of policing. She stated, “I’m making this application understanding and knowing I could retire but wanting to carry on with my role, not only because of the fact we have work to do and things to achieve still but also in the changing landscape that we are seeing across policing at the moment.”
Recent media reports have focused on the evolving structure of police forces across the UK, reinforcing her belief that a seasoned leader is essential for effectively representing community interests during these transitions.
A Cost-Neutral Decision for Taxpayers
Commissioner Dunbobbin affirmed that the retire and rehire scheme is available to all police officers and is designed to retain valuable skills within the force. He reassured the public that this decision will not impose any additional costs on taxpayers.
Chief Constable Blakeman’s reappointment is set for a maximum duration of three years, aligning with regulations for fixed-term agreements. This strategic move underscores her dedication to maintaining stability and continuity within North Wales Police amid ongoing discussions about the future of policing in the region.
