Retirement for Brighton and Hove police chief (From The Argus)

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett retires as Brighton and Hove police chief

6:10pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Ben Parsons

The face of city policing is changing today (March 1) with the retirement of Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.

City leaders paid tribute to his leadership as he prepares to say farewell to Brighton Police Station in John Street.

He is to take up a part-time role as independent chairman of the Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Ch Supt Bartlett has been Sussex Police’s city commander for Brighton and Hove for the last four years.

In an interview to be printed in The Argus tomorrow, he said one of his most influential achievements as a police officer has been Operation Reduction, the police strategy on drug dealing.

In seven years 650 street dealers have been convicted and more than 500 users treated. Acquisitive crime – thought to be largely committed to fund drug habits – has fallen by nearly a quarter.

In 2011 Ch Supt Bartlett joined Caroline Lucas MP in calling for the decriminalisation of personal use of drugs.

A father of triplets, he joined the force in 1983.

His father John Bartlett was a long-serving special constable at Brighton, his uncle Gordon Bartlett was a traffic policeman and his step-brother Jim Bartlett is a chief inspector at the force’s headquarters.

Ch Supt Bartlett said: “I think I’m the only person in my service who has served at every rank in Brighton.

“I’ll miss the job and I’ll miss being part of policing but I’m looking forward to the future.”

'Superb leader'

As well as taking up his child protection role, he says he plans to pursue interests in drug and alcohol policy and services, and perform voluntary work.

Acting Chief Superintendent Steve Whitton is to become acting divisional commander until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “Graham Bartlett has been a superb leader for the city’s police and a great supporter of partnership working.”

Katy Bourne, Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “His unbridled compassion for the city and its many inhabitants is an example for us all.”

Read the full Big Interview with Graham Bartlett in tomorrow’s Argus (March 2).

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