Rotherham set for new police chief as top cop moves on

The Advertiser can reveal Chief Supt Jason Harwin (pictured) will become one of South Yorkshire’s assistant chief constables on April 18, with Chief Supt Rob Odell taking over responsibility for Rotherham.

Mr Harwin said his appointment, which was in the pipeline before Chief Constable David Crompton confirmed two weeks ago that he will retire in November, was on a temporary basis but may lead to other opportunities.

He will be based at the police’s HQ in Carbrook but will work around the county in his role of overseeing “local policing”.

Mr Harwin took over the reins in the summer of 2012, just months before The Times’ first explosive reports on child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, and admitted that it had brought challenges.

“I never expected to have an encampment outside the police station,” he said, referring to the protest camp set up in the wake of CSE revelations.

He said he felt Rotherham officers were now “in a stronger situation with understanding CSE” four years on.

Successes during his time, he said, included work on diversionary activities for young people — such as the Sports FX SY scheme — and attempts to tackle loneliness.

A well-known figure often seen at community events, Mr Harwin said it was important to him to be in regular contact with the public.

“As a senior leader in a public service, you are accountable to the public and that’s not possible behind a desk,” he said.

Chief Supt Odell will start work in Rotherham today before taking full responsibility for the district in two weeks’ time.