Chief Constable pledges future to Hertfordshire

PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards and Chief Constable Andy Prophet

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, has reappointed Chief Constable Andy Prophet following his completion of 30 years of pensionable service.

Mr Prophet will sign a new five-year contract, committing him to serving as Hertfordshire’s most senior police officer. To comply with historic police pension regulations, Mr Prophet will step away from his role from for one calendar month before formally returning as Chief Constable on 14 July.

The Police & Crime Commissioner’s recommendation that Mr Prophet be reappointed as Chief Constable was unanimously approved at a confirmation hearing held by the cross-party Police & Crime Panel on 27 May.

During Mr Prophet’s month away, established continuity arrangements will apply with Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner becoming the Temporary Chief Constable.

Changes made to police pensions last month by the Government are entirely unconnected to the timing of the Chief Constable’s new contract. The changes will impact the Chief Constable in the same way as other police officers who are members of the 1987 police pension scheme.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police & Crime Commissioner, said: ‘Hertfordshire Constabulary is making great progress under Andy Prophet’s leadership to become an outstanding police force for our county. I am pleased that we will be retaining him as Chief Constable.

‘It is not unusual for senior police officers to be reappointed after reaching 30 years of pensionable service. Nationally, this has been the case for eight Chief Constables in the last two years. Such arrangements are a quirk of historic pension regulations and do not create any additional cost to the taxpayer.’

Andy Prophet, Chief Constable, said: ‘I am pleased to be reappointed as Chief Constable for this amazing county. Hertfordshire deserves the very best policing. The amazing people I am privileged to lead are answering the phone faster, responding to incidents more quickly, catching more criminals and solving more crime. That’s our job, it’s what the public want and deserve, and will continue to be our focus in the years to come.’