Chief Constable’s retirement

16 January 2026

West Midlands Police Federation notes today’s announcement that Chief Constable Craig Guildford is retiring from his role.

As with any police officer leaving the service through retirement, his long career in policing deserves recognition and thanks.

This has been a difficult and unsettling period for policing in the West Midlands, particularly for officers and staff who have continued to serve the public under sustained and intense scrutiny. Accountability and public confidence are fundamental to policing, but it is also important that those involved are treated with basic fairness, perspective and regard for individual welfare and wellbeing.

Our focus now is on supporting our members, maintaining stability within the Force, and ensuring that any lessons identified through formal processes are considered properly and implemented constructively. That must be done in a way that supports effective policing and enables officers to continue serving the public with confidence.

West Midlands Police officers continue to serve their communities with professionalism and commitment, and they deserve leadership, governance and scrutiny that strengthens, rather than weakens, the service they provide.