ONE of the highest-ranking officers in Notts Police is leaving the force.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Scarrott is retiring after spending much of the last three years having to live away from his family because of his job.
He becomes the second high-ranking officer in five months to announce that he is leaving.
Paul Broadbent left his job as an Assistant Chief Constable in December after announcing his retirement from the force after 30 years' service.
He is now chief executive of the Nottingham-based Gangmasters Licensing Authority.
Mr Scarrott, who earns around £139,000 a year, said: "Having completed 30 years of service, I feel the time is right now to retire.
"It's been a difficult decision to reach. The force has made some astonishing improvements in recent years in reducing crime and enhancing community safety.
"However, having lived away from home for three years, I very much want to spend more time at home with my wife and to see more of my children, and, a difficult decision though this has been, I feel it is the right one."
He will leave in June, and job advertisements will be published this week as the search for successors begins.
Ian Waterfield is currently filling Mr Broadbent's old role on a temporary basis.
Mr Scarrott, 51, joined the force as Assistant Chief Constable (Local Policing) in 2010 from West Midlands Police and succeeded Chris Eyre as Deputy Chief in May last year when Mr Eyre was promoted to Chief Constable.
Mr Eyre said: "Paul has played an immeasurable role as Assistant Chief Constable in transforming our local policing service and as Deputy Chief Constable in leading the programme of reorganisation and change.
"He has dedicated his adult life to serving the public with great integrity, dedication and professionalism, and on a local, regional and national stage, his departure will be felt."
Notts police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping said: "I'm sorry he is going – he has been a real force for change in Nottinghamshire Police but he has done his 30 years of service and he wants to spend more time with his family.
"I'm meeting the Chief Constable today to talk about the timetable for his replacement."