Hertfordshire Constabulary Chief Constable announces retirement after 30 years of service

Chief Constable Charlie Hall announced his retirement this afternoon (4 September) after leading the force for eight years.

He has held the top job within a police force for longer than anyone else in England. When he calls it a day at the end of 2024 he will have completed over 32 years in the police.

He said: “It has been a total privilege to lead such a fine organisation. From the beginning my aspirations have been steadfast, to do all I can to help the constabulary grow, develop and improve for the benefit of the local communities we serve now and into the future.”

Chief Constable Hall started his career with Norfolk Constabulary working in Norwich, where he served in many roles across the county up to, and including, deputy chief constable.

He chairs the Police Use of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). He is also the senior responsible officer for the JESIP programme, which focuses on improving the joint working between the police, fire and ambulance services and other first responders when deployed to operational incidents.

Chief Constable Hall took on the top job in Hertfordshire in 2016, and in 2017 he was awarded the Queen's Policing Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

Chief Constable Hall added: “The last eight years have flown by and there have been many changes during this time. We have navigated the COVID years, dealt with many critical incidents and managed some truly outstanding investigations, much of which was in the public eye. We have introduced our Prevention First approach, grown the number of police officers in the county to the highest number in its history and are revitalising our police estate to be fit for the future. I remain very proud to have led such a fine workforce of committed and hard-working police officers and staff.

“It will be business as usual for me until my last day and I will do all that I can to welcome in and support the next chief constable when they are appointed.”

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards, who was elected in May, said: “I wish the chief constable all the best for the future following his decision to retire at the end of the year. Charlie Hall has had a distinguished career in policing and provided serious and thoughtful leadership to the constabulary for the last eight years, now being the country’s longest continuously serving chief constable. He has played a leading role in making Hertfordshire the safe county it is today, while pioneering the ‘Prevention First’ approach. I have greatly enjoyed working with Charlie in the few months since my election and, on behalf of Hertfordshire, I would like to thank him for his considerable service.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am responsible for the appointment of the next chief constable which is a duty that I take seriously. The recruitment process will get underway in due course. I will be seeking to recruit a high-calibre candidate to lead the fight against crime in Hertfordshire and provide strong operational leadership for the Constabulary for the years ahead.”