Chief constable of Thames Valley Police John Campbell to retire next year
The chief constable of Thames Valley Police has announced his plans to retire from the role next year.
John Campbell, who has been chief constable since 2018, will retire when his current terms ends on March 31, 2023.
He first joined West Midlands Police in 1988, before transferring to Hampshire Constabulary in 2001 and finally joining Thames Valley Police in July 2010.
Mr Campbell said: “At the end of March 2023, my term as chief constable concludes, and, after four years in the post, over 13 years within the force and more than 35 years in policing, I have decided it is the right time for me to retire.
“Making this announcement now allows plenty of time for a smooth transition to the new chief constable in the spring. I remain fully committed to leading the force over the next seven months.
“It has been an honour serving the communities of the Thames Valley, and I am immensely proud of the officers, staff and volunteers who work around the clock, every single day, to keep our communities safe.”
During his time at Thames Valley Police, Mr Campbell was responsible for the policing of Olympic events, including the South East regional phase of the Torch Relay, as well as leading the multi-agency response to the flooding in Oxfordshire and Berkshire in 2014.
He has also commanded numerous firearms and public order events, and he leads nationally for the police in respect of how they respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and attacks.
In 2015 he received the Queen's Police Medal in the birthday honours list for services to policing.
Police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley Matthew Barber said: “Today chief constable John Campbell announced that he will be retiring when his contract ends on the 31st March 2023.
“John will have served the public as a police officer for over 35 years, 13 of those as a chief officer within Thames Valley Police and four years as chief constable.
“I thank him for his contribution to the police service, especially his leadership of the force and his focus on delivering on mine and my predecessor’s police and crime plan.
“I have very much enjoyed working with John and am proud of what he has achieved for the force and I will be sorry to see him leave.
“John will continue to lead the force over the next seven months and ensure the force continues to work tirelessly to protect our communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
“Following today’s announcement I will shortly start the process for the recruitment for his successor to enable a smooth transition in leadership for Thames Valley Police.”
Mr Barber ill announce the recruitment process tomorrow (Thursday) with a new chief constable in post for April 1, 2023.
