West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has 'quietly' retired with the understanding he will be rehired next month in a move aimed at protecting his pension. Mr Guildford is taking part in a 'retire and rejoin' scheme.

Craig Guildford is using a ‘retire and rejoin’ scheme to overcome a quirk leading to the longest-serving officers losing out financially

A "retire and re-join" option taken by the West Midlands' most senior police officer has been defended by the region's police and crime commissioner (PCC) Craig Guildford retired as West Midlands Police's chief constable on 15 November, but has applied to take up the role again on 16 December in order to protect his pension, PCC Simon Foster said.