Suffolk police chief to retire in new year

Simon Ash, the lead officer for Suffolk Police, announced yesterday that he would retire at the start of next year.

He follows the chief constables of Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Essex who are also leaving their jobs.

Mr Ash said: “My contract with Suffolk was due to come to an end earlier in the year but I decided to remain in post to oversee the transition to the police and crime commissioner (PCC).

“With the election behind us, it now seems an appropriate time to hand over to a new Chief Constable, who can take the Constabulary forward with the new police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore.

“The PCC heralds a major change to the way in which policing is governed and I know he will have the full support of my colleagues in his work over the coming years.”

Mr Ash is due to leave the force in February, when he will join the Parole Board.