Sheffield’s top cop replaced as police launch investigation into ‘internal concern’

Sheffield has a new temporary District Commander while the officer normally in charge of policing in Sheffield is the subject of an internal investigation.
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Chief Superintendent Una Jennings has been tasked with completing a report on a collaboration project for seven forces in the region while the internal investigation is carried out.

It is understood that she has moved out of her normal office at Attercliffe police station but South Yorkshire Police stressed that the high-ranking officer has not been suspended.

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In a statement issued today, the force said: “An internal concern has been raised in relation to a senior officer which is currently being explored as part of our internal employment processes. No senior officer has been suspended.

Chief Superintendent Una JenningsChief Superintendent Una Jennings
Chief Superintendent Una Jennings

“Temporary Chief Superintendent Shelley Hemsley is currently supporting Sheffield as District Commander in the short term whilst Chief Superintendent Una Jennings prepares a report for the seven Chief Constables of the region on a collaboration project.”

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, is not involved.

Chf Supt Jennings took over as Sheffield’s District Commander in August after her predecessor Stuart Barton announced his retirement after over two years at the helm.

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She spent the previous year as Rotherham’s District Commander before she was promoted to the Sheffield role.

Before moving to Rotherham she was a Superintendent in Sheffield and had responsibility for overseeing armed criminality, including shootings and stabbings.

She has been a serving police officer for 18 years, having started her career with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Upon her appointment she said: “Good policing changes lives. Good policing is about more than crime, it is about hope, education, equality, social mobility, working together to develop trust and ultimately peace.”

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Chf Supt Jennings, who is a mum-of-one and originally from Ulster, is a graduate of Queen's University Belfast and Cambridge University.

Chief Superintendent Una JenningsChief Superintendent Una Jennings
Chief Superintendent Una Jennings

She is one of a small number of officers nationally to hold the highest qualification possible for senior investigating officers who oversee serial, serious and complex homicides.

During her time as one of South Yorkshire’s highest ranking officers, Chf Supt Jennings has publicly recognised officers for their achievements, often posting award presentations on Twitter to thank them for their efforts and for going above and beyond.