HC Deb 28 January 2002 vol 379 cc84-5W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the length of service as chief constable is of each chief constable in England. [28044]

Mr. Denham

The appointment of a chief constable is a matter for decision by the appropriate police authority, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. In making an appointment, a police authority must adhere to Regulation 13A of the Police Regulations 1995, which provide that appointment as chief constable should be for a minimum period of four years and a maximum period of seven years.

The current position for each force in England is given in the table. In a small number of cases, the appointment pre-dates the introduction of the fixed term regulations on 1 April 1995, and exceeds the current maximum period.