Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Jane Sawyers to retire after 32 years with force

Mrs Sawyers, who took up the top job in June 2015, has held every rank in the force since joining in 1984.

She revealed her decision this afternoon and is expected to leave next summer but no date has been fixed.

She said: "I remain 100 per cent committed to the work of Staffordshire Police and will do until the day I retire.

"I have no intention of easing up or slowing down in my commitment to lead the force and serve the public of Staffordshire.

"There is still a great deal to do before I retire and a new chief is appointed.

"I am extremely honoured to hold this role and proud of the professionalism, commitment and service the officers, staff and volunteers demonstrate each and every day.

"This has not been an easy decision to make but I believe Staffordshire Police will continue to build on its enormous strengths, continue to challenge itself to improve and continue to keep the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe and reassured in the future."

It is understood Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has written to every senior officer in the country inviting them to apply for the job.

When Mrs Sawyers was appointed to the £140,000-a-year post she was the only applicant.

Mr Ellis added: "Jane Sawyers has served the police for over 32 years. We discussed some months ago when she would be seeking to retire and she indicated next year.

"There will be a lengthy process to recruit a new chief constable but there is no rush to do so and everything will stay the same for the foreseeable future."

As a constable and sergeant she worked both in uniform and as a member of the drugs unit.

She was a uniformed inspector for nearly six years and was promoted to the rank of chief inspector in 1998 into the role of investigator in what is now the Professional Standards Department.

"In 2001, she became a divisional superintendent in the north of the county for two years, followed by a further two years as head of human resources.

"This was followed by a two and a half year period as Staffordshire's Head of Professional Standards.

In July 2010 she was appointed as an assistant chief constable and deputy chief constable in March 2014.

She is the National Police Chief's Council lead within policing for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender matters.