Chief Constable accused of misconduct to leave job

The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, who is suspended on full pay over allegations of gross misconduct, is set to leave his role.

Gloucestershire's police and crime commissioner confirmed Rod Hansen would leave the force when his contract expired at the end of July.

Hansen was suspended from the six-figure role in October 2024 following allegations relating to a data breach. He denies any wrongdoing.

He was due to face a misconduct panel this week but the hearing was postponed for legal reasons. He will still face the panel in December, despite no longer being employed by the force.

Hansen was suspended over allegations he failed to adequately act after a suspected data breach by another member of staff, who reportedly accessed personal information without authorisation after a crash.

He is also accused of giving a false or misleading statement during the subsequent investigation.

He was served a second gross misconduct notice in May 2025 over accusations he was improperly involved in the recruitment of a member of staff. However, this case was dropped following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Complaints.

While the force has not published Hansen's salary, a chief constable in an area the size of Gloucestershire can earn up to £160,000.

Hansen is one of the longest-serving chief constables in England, having joined the force in 2013 after serving in the SAS and working for Avon and Somerset Police.

Maggie Blyth has been temporarily serving as chief constable for Gloucestershire Police since Hansen's suspension.

The force has said an open and transparent recruitment process will take place to select a permanent chief constable.

Police and crime commissioner Chris Nelson said he was unable to comment on Hansen's departure due to reporting restrictions around the ongoing gross misconduct case.

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