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27th Jan 2025
Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has supported a request from the Chief Constable, Tim Smith, to extend his contract for two years. The decision must be ratified at a meeting of the Kent Police and Crime Panel, which will take place on Tuesday 4 February.
Mr Smith was promoted to the rank of Chief Constable in December 2022 following a competitive process with a contract to run until December 2027. If agreed by the Panel, he will be in post until December 2029.
In order for this to take effect, Mr Smith will retire from the force on 28 February, and return on 1 April. Mr Scott has appointed Deputy Chief Constable Peter Ayling to serve as Temporary Chief Constable during this period.
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 HMICFRS 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.”
ENDS