Area and Organisation
The force covers an area of 1,443 square miles (3,740 km2) with an approximate population of 1,660,588 (1,114,100 in Kent, and 249,488 in Medway). The Chief Constable is currently Ian Learmonth, who was appointed in 2010 and is the former Deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary. Prior to Learmonth's appointment, Kent Police was led by Britain's first black Chief Constable, Michael Fuller QPM.
Because of the channel tunnel, Kent Police is unique among English forces in having a police station outside of the country, in Coquelles, France, staffed by Kent officers. Kent Police works with other UK and European forces as part of the Cross Channel Intelligence Community, helping to tackle cross-border crime. The cross channel traffic occasionally causes Kent Police and the Highways Agency to enforce Operation Stack, controlling the freight flow on that part of the M20 motorway closest to the ports. Kent also has the largest strategic road network of any force in the UK, covering four motorways.
Proposals made by the Home Secretary on 20 March 2006 saw Kent Police stay as a standalone strategic force for Kent and Medway; it had been suggested that Kent should merge with another police force.
Kent Police Authority has nine councillors (seven from Kent County Council, and two from Medway Borough Council), three Justices of the Peace, and five independent members.
The Port of Dover maintains its own independent police force, the Port of Dover Police, however Kent Police has statutory responsibility for policing the entire county and will take over primacy of serious investigations and incidents within the port when appropriate.
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