17/02/2026
Clive Hammond
The outgoing chief spent more than two decades in policing, including 19 years with Warwickshire Police.
In a statement this week, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith said he had opted to pursue new opportunities outside the service after serving as chief for 18 months.
Reflecting on a career that saw him work at Surrey Police, West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, together with a secondment to the National Crime Agency, he said: “Policing plays a pivotal role in society and is often described as a job like no other. I am biased, but I believe the Warwickshire public are incredibly fortunate to have the talented and hard-working officers and staff committed to protecting them day in and day out.
“Policing has given me an immense level of job satisfaction, but at 44 years of age I very much consider myself to be mid-career and, while I will be sad to leave the role of Chief Constable, I am excited to have an opportunity to move to the private sector, helping to deliver improvements and much-needed reform across the public safety, justice and policing sectors.
“I will take with me many career highlights, but none will match the level of pride I have felt in these last 18 months leading Warwickshire Police. I wish my policing colleagues well and look forward as a Warwickshire resident to watching the force’s continued upward trajectory.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, said: “I have today accepted Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith’s decision to step down from policing in April to take up an opportunity in the private sector.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to Alex for his service and commitment to the people of Warwickshire during his time as Chief Constable and across the variety of roles he has held since joining the force in 2007. While I am sorry to see him leave, I understand this was an opportunity that he felt was simply too good to refuse, so I wish him and his family all the best for the future.
“During his time in charge of Warwickshire Police, Alex has begun important work to shape a new culture within the force, with a clear focus on delivering for local residents, while also improving the standards and behaviours which communities rightly expect. I am confident that the progress that has been made so far will continue and that it will form a strong legacy for his successor to build upon. I will continue to support this work to ensure that the public receives a service they can trust and rely upon.
“Arrangements for interim leadership post April, alongside a process to recruit a new Chief Constable, will be put in place in due course. Further updates will be provided as these are finalised. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to work with Alex until he leaves us for his new position.”