January 31, 2017 4.51 pm This story is over 85 months old

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes leaves Lincolnshire Police after 31 years

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes has left the force after nearly 31 years service. Deputy Chief Constable Gary Knighton paid tribute to his service in a presentation at the force’s HQ in Nettleham on Tuesday, January 31. Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones also said his final farewell to Neil Rhodes, who he noted was “known…

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes has left the force after nearly 31 years service.

Deputy Chief Constable Gary Knighton paid tribute to his service in a presentation at the force’s HQ in Nettleham on Tuesday, January 31.

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones also said his final farewell to Neil Rhodes, who he noted was “known and respected nationally”.

Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones thanked Neil Rhodes for his years of service.

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes decided to retire after three years in the post.

He joined Lincolnshire Police in 1986 after spending 10 years in retail management.

After 15 years in the force, he progressed from Constable to Superintendent. He worked across the county as a patrol officer, detective and in roads policing before joining Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

He worked in Humberside Police and was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable with Cumbria Constabulary in 2004 before returning to Lincolnshire as Deputy Chief Constable in 2008.

Neil with his Minions-themed leaving gift.

In April 2012, he took on the role of Chief Constable at Lincolnshire Police.

Neil said on his final day that it had been an “amazing experience” to have started as Constable and to retire as Chief Constable in the same force (and to have taken the oath of attestation and retired from the same building).

He added: “I made two top decisions 31 years ago – the first one was to ask Sue to marry me and the second was to join Lincolnshire Police.

“It’s been an absolute blast and I have enjoyed working with all of you – thank you!”

New Chief Constable Bill Skelly officially takes up the post on Wednesday.

Mr Skelly, was previously the Deputy Chief Constable for Devon ad Cornwall and was selected after an exhaustive recruitment process, for which the net was also cast overseas.