Brighton and Hove divisional commander Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett has announced he will retire from Sussex Police on March 31, 2013.

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett has been head of Brighton and Hove police since January 2009.

In a statement he said: "I have taken the decision to retire from the police service next March. By that time I will have had the great privilege of holding the office of constable for 30 years.

"To have served in every rank at Brighton and Hove has been a great honour and over the years I have made many great friends here.

"I truly believe that our city is a very special place with vibrant and diverse people and communities served by truly remarkable and capable people in all sectors.

"I have been humbled to be part of the partnerships which have made Brighton and Hove a safer and healthier place to live, work and visit.

"I will be leaving the service at a time of great change but I know that whatever the future holds Sussex Police will continue to have public service at its heart.

"I will, of course, be around for sometime yet and it will very much be business as usual until the day I leave. I would like to thank everyone for their support, friendship and counsel over the years.

"This includes the local media who clearly support policing in the city and have sometimes, quite rightly, challenged me and kept me on my toes.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said a process to identify the new divisional commander for Brighton and Hove will start in the New Year.

For more reaction see tomorrow's Argus.

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