The Mayor of Brighton and Hove led the tributes to Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett who retires today (Friday 1 March).
Mayor Bill Randall told a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council that Chief Superintendent Bartlett was stepping down as divisional commander.
Councillor Randall said that he would write to the long-serving Sussex Police officer on behalf of the council to thank him.
He said: “He’s done a really outstanding job.”
The mayor’s remarks were met with applause from members of all political parties and people in the public gallery.
Chief Superintendent Bartlett, 48, will take over from Alan Bedford as chairman of the Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board. The independent chairman of the board is a part-time role.
His retirement comes after 30 years as a police officer. When he announced his retirement he said: “To have served in every rank at Brighton and Hove has been a great honour and over the years I have made many great friends here.
“I truly believe that our city is a very special place with vibrant and diverse people and communities served by truly remarkable and capable people in all sectors.
“I have been humbled to be part of the partnerships which have made Brighton and Hove a safer and healthier place to live, work and visit.
“I will be leaving the service at a time of great change but I know that whatever the future holds Sussex Police will continue to have public service at its heart.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support, friendship and counsel over the years.
“This includes the local media who clearly support policing in the city and have sometimes, quite rightly, challenged me and kept me on my toes.
The mayor also paid tribute to the assistant chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust (BHT).
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday 28 February) Councillor Randall told his colleagues on the council: “John Holmström retires from BHT tomorrow after 32 years on the housing frontline in Brighton and Hove.”
BHT chief executive Andy Winter said: “I would like to thank John for his service to BHT since the mid-1980s, for the contribution he has made to services for homeless men and women in Brighton and East Sussex and the difference he has made to our communities.
“We have worked together for many years and I will miss him.”
