Home Secretary David Blunkett, who effectively sacked Sussex Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse, is now demanding other forces adopt some of the former chief's reforms.

Mr Blunkett wants to see a reduction in police retirements caused by medical problems, something Mr Whitehouse had already achieved in Sussex.

He also wants civilians to take over paperwork so officers can get back on the beat. Many Sussex divisions, notably Hove, are already doing this.

Mr Blunkett's call for the restoration of public confidence in Sussex Police following the fatal shooting of an unarmed man in Hastings, led to the chief's resignation last month.

Mr Whitehouse's temporary replacement, Deputy Chief Constable Maria Wallis, was among the 43 force chiefs in England and Wales attending Mr Blunkett's summit.

The Home Secretary's big push was on medical retirements, which account for one-third of all retirements.

He demanded plans to eradicate "spurious" sick notes and for a crackdown on officers exaggerating how ill they were.

Sussex uses spy cameras to watch officers off work and under suspicion and the force is already leading the country in reducing the problem.

The force now carries out its own in-house medical assessments and explores every avenue to keep officers working.

Jobs are tailored around officers' particular needs and restrictions.

As a result, the number of medical retirements in Sussex has been reduced from 40 per cent to 15 per cent since the new policy was introduced five years ago.

Mr Blunkett also wants police to work more closely with Neighbourhood Wardens, again something that is already happening in Sussex.

In another reform he suggested owners of pubs and clubs in city centres might have to pay for extra police needed to keep the peace in their areas.