The chief constable of Sussex Police has said he will be seeking approval for a scheme to force officers to retire after 30 years' service.

Chief Constable Martin Richards made the announcement publicly this morning, saying the move is needed if the force is to make budget cuts of £52 million by 2015.

He is expected to ask Sussex Police Authority - the independent panel of councillors and lay people which oversees the force - to approve the use of the controversial Regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations to require officers to retire after 30 years, the point at which they are eligible for their pension.

In the past Sussex Police Federation, which represents officers, has said it would consider legal action to oppose such a move.

A statement released by Sussex Police today said: "Chief Constable Martin Richards has informed officers that with great reluctance and after much careful consideration chief officers have decided to seek approval to apply Regulation A19 in Sussex at the next Police Authority meeting in May.

"Sussex Police is one of many police forces considering this option.

"If it is approved staff associations will be consulted on how and when best to do this to minimise the impact on the service provided to the public.

"Mr Richards recognises that this may not be welcome news for many officers involved but he hoped that they understand the need for the Chief Officer team to take difficult decisions to make the level of savings needed and at all times ensure that service to the public does not suffer."

The force has already said it needs to shed 550 staff and 500 officers posts by 2015 to meet savings targets imposed as a result of the financial crisis which followed the Government's bank bailouts of 2008.

More than 300 staff have already left under a "voluntary severance" scheme.

Mr Richards's message said: "As far as officer numbers are concerned we have frozen recruitment and were hopeful that levels of natural turnover of officers would broadly match the numbers by which we need to reduce.

"However, in recent months the numbers of officers displaced has increased as a result of changes being made, and this will continue through 2011/12.

"Alongside this, levels of natural turnover have slowed down and this is now threatening our ability to reduce officer numbers quickly enough to make the levels of savings we need.

"In addition we are mindful of the growing number of officers without permanent posts and the lack of opportunities for promotion."

* Are you a police officer who would be affected by the use of A19?

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