The head of Sandwell Police will have to retire after 30 years’ service under cost-saving moves, despite being only 48 years old.

Chief Superintendent Steve Dugmore is being retired next month as part of a cull of 300 senior officers by West Midlands Police Authority using regulation A19, to force officers into retirement after 30 years.

The decision has been labelled “mindless” and a waste of expertise.

Borough council leader Darren Cooper said: “This is a shocking decision. It does not take into account the excellent links Mr Dugmore has made in the borough and the success he has had. With all that service behind him it makes no sense at all.”

Chief Superintendent Dugmore took on the role in April last year, when 21 operational command units within West Midlands Police were replaced by 10 local policing units under

Programme Paragon. He was promoted from his previous role as head of North Sandwell operational command unit.

Under his stewardship, crime figures dropped in the last year in the borough with 2,742 fewer victims of recorded crime compared to 2009.

Councillor Ian Jones, the borough’s regeneration boss, added: “There is a whole raft of experience being lost in West Midlands Police under these cuts. It’s mindless.

Hundreds of officers in the West Midlands with more than 30 years of experience will be forced to retire as part of a bid to save £120 million. The force will lose 273 officers when the scheme takes effect in March.

The force says a further 357 officers will have to go between 2011 to 13 when they reach the 30 years of service milestone. The scheme, which will apply to all ranks, was first floated in August last year.

The move will save £8.6m next year, while ‘natural wastage’ will save £11.7m. Chief Constable Chris Sims warned “all areas of business” will be affected by cuts, but front line services would be protected “where possible”.