Kent Police

Kent Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing Kent in England, including the unitary authority of Medway.

The force covers an area of 1,443 square miles with an approximate population of 1.6 million. Kent Police has an establishment of 3,590 police officers, 2,370 police staff, 329 Special Constables and 58 Police Community Support Officers. The Chief Constable since 2004 is Michael Fuller QPM.

Due to the Channel Tunnel, Kent Police is unique among English forces in having a police station in Coquelles, in France, staffed by Kent officers.

Kent Police is one of the police forces which has opposed any mergers with other forces currently being reviewed by the Home Office. Kent Police Authority has stated its wish to remain a stand alone county police force. A decision will be made by the Home Secretary in February 2006. It falls only below the specified number of 4,000 officers.

The force took its present form in 1947 when the Canterbury City Police was abolished.

Kent Police Authority has 9 councillors (7 from Kent Council Council, and 2 from Medway Borough Council), 3 justices of the peace, and 5 independent members.