Forced retirement for West Midlands Police is scrapped
Police officers in the West Midlands will no longer be forced to retire after 30 years of service, it has been announced.
The controversial A19 regulation has been scrapped by the force Chief Constable Chris Sims, with plans to bring in 100 police staff into West Midlands Police in an effort to put more bobbies back on the beat.
It was in July that the High Court ruled that the A19 regulation - that forced serving officers to retire after 30 years - was 'not unlawful' following a legal challenge by the The Police Superintendents' Association for England and Wales.
Mr Sims' announcement came after Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones said he would launch a consultation to recruit 450 police officers for the county's force.
Chief Constable Chris Sims said: "The opportunities set out in the budget consultation come as a result of the considerable work the force has carried out over the last three years which have resulted in the achievement of challenging savings targets as well as the delivery of increasing levels of efficiency in policing our local communities."
"The implementation of A19 was an essential tool to enable to the force to meet the demands of efficiency and that has been achieved.
"I'm delighted that experienced officers will be able to continue to serve and protect the people of the West Midlands."
Mr Jones said: "I welcome and fully support the Chief Constable's decision to end use of A19 and no longer require officers with thirty years' service to retire."
