Gloucestershire’s chief constable, Rod Hansen, will be stepping down at the end of July 2026, as police and crime commissioner Chris Nelson has decided not to renew his contract. Hansen, who has been suspended on full pay for nearly two years, faces a gross misconduct hearing related to allegations stemming from a data breach incident.
The suspension followed an October 2024 decision by Commissioner Nelson after concerns arose about Hansen’s handling of a data breach reported in October 2022. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded that Hansen should face a gross misconduct hearing, citing his insufficient response to information about a staff member suspected of unauthorized access to police systems and third-party personal data after a road traffic collision.
Additionally, Hansen is accused of providing a false or misleading statement during the investigation into this breach. While he remains firm in his denial of any wrongdoing, the legal process continues, with the hearing adjourned in mid-July 2026 and not expected to resume until December at the earliest.
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Previously, Hansen was cleared in March 2026 of allegations related to the recruitment of a police staff member, with no case to answer.
Hansen began his role as chief constable in May 2017 with an initial five-year contract, set to end in 2022. In 2020, then-commissioner Martin Surl extended his contract by another five years in recognition of his distinguished policing service, during which time he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
With Hansen’s departure confirmed, Maggie Blyth, appointed as temporary chief constable in October 2024, will continue in her interim role. A thorough and transparent recruitment process will be launched to find a permanent successor.