Gloucestershire Police Chief Constable to Leave Office as Misconduct Proceedings Continue

The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, Rod Hansen, will leave his position at the end of July as his contract comes to an end, bringing to a close more than a decade of leadership with the force while disciplinary proceedings against him remain unresolved.

The announcement was confirmed by Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, who stated that Hansen’s employment will conclude when his current contract expires. Although he will no longer serve as Chief Constable, he is still expected to face a formal gross misconduct hearing later this year.

Hansen has been suspended on full pay since October 2024 following allegations connected to an alleged data protection breach. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the investigation.

The allegations centre on claims that Hansen failed to take appropriate action after another member of police staff allegedly accessed personal information without authorization following a road traffic incident. Investigators also allege that he later provided a false or misleading statement during the inquiry into the matter.

A misconduct hearing had been scheduled to take place this week but was postponed because of legal issues. The disciplinary panel is now expected to hear the case in December, despite Hansen no longer being employed by Gloucestershire Police.

The case remains separate from another gross misconduct investigation that emerged in 2025 concerning Hansen’s alleged involvement in the recruitment of a member of staff. That investigation was later discontinued after an independent review found insufficient grounds to proceed with disciplinary action.

Hansen has been one of the longest-serving chief constables in England, joining Gloucestershire Police in 2013 after previously serving in the British Army’s Special Air Service and later working with Avon and Somerset Police. During his tenure, he oversaw policing operations across Gloucestershire and led the force through a range of public safety, crime prevention and community policing initiatives.

Since Hansen’s suspension nearly two years ago, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth has been serving as the force’s temporary Chief Constable, ensuring continuity of leadership while the disciplinary process continues.

Gloucestershire Police has confirmed that a transparent and open recruitment process will begin to appoint a permanent Chief Constable to lead the organization into its next chapter.

The Police and Crime Commissioner said he could not comment further on Hansen’s departure because legal reporting restrictions remain in place while the gross misconduct proceedings are ongoing.

The outcome of the December hearing will determine whether the allegations against Hansen are upheld under police professional standards. Although he will no longer be employed by the force, disciplinary findings could still have implications for his future within policing and public service.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to Hansen’s senior leadership position and the importance of maintaining public confidence in policing standards and accountability. The forthcoming misconduct hearing is expected to provide greater clarity on the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the investigation.

Courtesy: BBC