HC Deb 06 May 1999 vol 330 cc461-2W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the discussion at the meeting of the Cleveland Police Authority on 8 February regarding the 999 call from the house of the former Deputy Chief Constable on 20 January and his application for early retirement. [82687]

Mr. Boateng

Chief Police officers who have completed 30 years' service are entitled to retire at any time, provided they give three months' notice. Where an officer wishes to retire immediately, without giving the required notice, then he must ask the permission of the Police Authority.

Mr. Turnbull, having completed over 30 years' service, was entitled to retire. He was appointed on a fixed term appointment, not a contract, and remained entitled to retire on completion of his pensionable service, even if this was before the end of the fixed term appointment.

The meeting of Cleveland Police Authority on 8 February discussed the request from the then Deputy Chief Constable, Mr. Turnbull, that he be allowed to retire without completing the statutory three months' notice required under Police Regulations.

The police authority considered the application in open session but certain associated matters of a confidential nature were brought to their attention by the Clerk of the Police Authority. The Authority continued the debate in private session in accordance with Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Authority returned to open session to make their final decision having determined the issues discussed in private did not affect their consideration of the actual application. The application for early retirement was then approved.