CHIEF CONSTABLE of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman KPM, has requested Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin’s approval to participate in the national Retire and Rehire Scheme. The request will now be put forward by the PCC to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel.
The national Retire and Rehire Scheme is widely used by police officers across England and Wales and is designed to retain skills, knowledge and experience of officers at all levels.
The scheme allows for any police officer, including a Chief Constable, to formally resign as an officer before being re-appointed into the same rank after a short break.
The move is in-line with national guidance following the changes to the Compulsory Retirement Age for police officers, introduced in April 2022. Participation in this scheme does not create any additional cost to the taxpayer.
The PCC has approved the request from the Chief Constable in principle, subject to the approval of the Police and Crime Panel. The Police and Crime Panel is a body made up of councillors and co-opted independent members from across North Wales who scrutinise the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The PCC will present a report to the Panel at its meeting on the December 15 and will recommend the re-appointment of the Chief Constable. If approved by the panel, the short period of retirement will be from January 15, 2026 until January 17, 2026.
During the one-day break in service on January 16, 2026, appropriate arrangements will be put in place to cover the Chief Constable’s role.
Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin commented: “I have agreed to put forward Chief Constable Blakeman’s request to enter into the national Retire and Rehire Scheme.
“This will now go to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel for their approval.
“The widely used scheme is in accordance with updated guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and the College of Policing.
“It is important to emphasise that participation in this scheme will come at no cost to the taxpayer and there will be no break in leadership at the head of North Wales Police.
“Chief Constable Blakeman and I, and all the Chief Officers of North Wales Police, remain as committed as ever to ensuring that our region is the safest and most secure place in the United Kingdom.”
This news comes as figures show that all recorded crime in the North Wales Police area is down 1.7% up to the end of November this year. This encouraging figure follows a 5% reduction last year. Positive outcomes of matters are up 3.7%. Recorded incidents of violence against women and girls are down 4.1% and residential burglary is down 4.9%. Business burglary is down 10.1% and criminal damage is down 6.9%.
