Police Resignation
Letter Template
Build a UK police resignation letter in two minutes: the correct notice wording, your last day, leave and TOIL, kit return and your pension leaver statement. Copy it, download it or print it. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 21 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Your name, rank, collar or warrant number and team; a clear statement that you give written notice of your intention to resign (the Regulations say 'retire') under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003; your last day, at least one month after the date you give notice (three months for chief officer ranks) unless the force accepts shorter notice; and requests for your leave and TOIL position, a final pay breakdown, kit return arrangements and a pension leaver statement.
Your letter
Updates as you typeEmail subject: Notice of intention to resign: [Your full name]
[Your full name] [Rank and collar or warrant number] [Team, station or department] [Force name] 22 October 2026 To: The Chief Constable, via my line manager and HR Subject: Notice of intention to resign: [Your full name] Dear The Chief Constable, I am writing to give formal written notice of my intention to resign (retire) from [Force name], in accordance with regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 and the Home Office determination under it (Annex D). My last day of service will be 22 November 2026. This gives one month's written notice from the date of this letter. Before my last day, please could you confirm in writing: - my annual leave position for this leave year, including any payment in lieu or deduction under the annual leave determination (Annex O); - how any TOIL, rest days in lieu and public holidays owed will be taken or settled before I leave; - a breakdown of my final pay, including any sums that will be paid or recovered; - the arrangements for returning my warrant card, uniform and equipment; - that my details have been passed to the pension administrator so that I receive a leaver statement; - who will deal with reference requests from future employers. I would like to thank my colleagues and supervisors for their support during my time with [Force name]. I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth handover of my work before I leave. Yours sincerely, [Your full name]
Anything in [square brackets] still needs filling in. Many forces use their own HR form or online process: if yours does, use it and attach or paste this letter so the details are on record. Keep a copy and note when and to whom you sent it.
Free tool
Before you send it: check what happens to your pension
A few months can move when your pension is paid by years: 2 years' service, 25 or 30 years in the 1987 scheme, or your 55th birthday. See your own figures for your planned last day and a later date, free.
Example: a completed police resignation letter
This is what the builder produces for an invented constable leaving for a civilian job, giving a full month's notice. Replace every detail with your own.
Alex Morgan Police Constable, Collar/warrant no. 4321 Response Team C, Northtown Anyshire Police 2 November 2026 To: The Chief Constable, via my line manager and HR Subject: Notice of intention to resign: Police Constable Alex Morgan (4321) Dear The Chief Constable, I am writing to give formal written notice of my intention to resign (retire) from Anyshire Police, in accordance with regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 and the Home Office determination under it (Annex D). My last day of service will be 2 December 2026. This gives one month's written notice from the date of this letter. I am leaving to take up a new role as a fraud investigator. Before my last day, please could you confirm in writing: - my annual leave position for this leave year, including any payment in lieu or deduction under the annual leave determination (Annex O) (I believe I have 6 days of annual leave remaining and 14 hours of time off in lieu (TOIL) and rest days or public holidays owed); - how any TOIL, rest days in lieu and public holidays owed will be taken or settled before I leave; - a breakdown of my final pay, including any sums that will be paid or recovered; - the arrangements for returning my warrant card, uniform and equipment; - that my details have been passed to the pension administrator so that I receive a leaver statement; - who will deal with reference requests from future employers. I would like to thank my colleagues and supervisors for their support during my time with Anyshire Police. I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth handover of my work before I leave. For anything after I leave, including pension correspondence, please contact me at alex.morgan@example.com. Yours sincerely, Alex Morgan
And a short, formal version asking to leave before the month is up:
Alex Morgan Police Constable, Collar/warrant no. 4321 Response Team C, Northtown Anyshire Police 2 November 2026 To: The Chief Constable, via my line manager and HR Subject: Notice of intention to resign: Police Constable Alex Morgan (4321) Dear The Chief Constable, I am writing to give formal written notice of my intention to resign (retire) from Anyshire Police, in accordance with regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 and the Home Office determination under it (Annex D). My last day of service will be 20 November 2026. This is shorter than one month's notice. I would be grateful if the force would accept shorter notice so that my last day of service can be 20 November 2026. Please confirm in writing whether this is accepted. Before my last day, please could you confirm in writing: - my annual leave position for this leave year, including any payment in lieu or deduction under the annual leave determination (Annex O) (I believe I have 6 days of annual leave remaining and 14 hours of time off in lieu (TOIL) and rest days or public holidays owed); - how any TOIL, rest days in lieu and public holidays owed will be taken or settled before I leave; - a breakdown of my final pay, including any sums that will be paid or recovered; - the arrangements for returning my warrant card, uniform and equipment; - that my details have been passed to the pension administrator so that I receive a leaver statement. I will ensure a full handover of my work before my last day. Yours sincerely, Alex Morgan
How much notice: the rules
There is no regulation called "resignation" in the Police Regulations 2003. Voluntary leaving is regulation 14, "Retirement", which lets the Home Secretary set the notice and allow shorter notice to be accepted. The notice itself is in the Home Office determination known as Annex D. The Regulations use "retire" for any voluntary leaving, which is why the builder says "resign (retire)".
| Who | Notice | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Constables to chief superintendents | One month's written notice, or shorter if the force accepts it | Police Regulations 2003 reg 14; Home Office determination Annex D para 1 |
| Chief constables, deputy and assistant chief constables, Met and City equivalents including commanders | Three months' written notice | Annex D para 2 |
| Probationer given notice of discharge | Can resign on or before the discharge date; the notice must be accepted even if under a month | Police Regulations 2003 reg 13(3) and (4) |
| Special constables | One month's written notice to the chief officer, or shorter if accepted | Special Constables Regulations 1965 reg 3(1) |
| Police staff and PCSOs | Whatever your contract of employment says | Your contract and force policy |
The police pension authority that receives notice is the chief constable for a Home Office force, the Commissioner in the Met and the Common Council in the City of London (Police Pensions Act 1976, s.11). We could not find a consolidated current Annex D from the Home Office, so the table uses the published compilation and the December 2017 amendment; we found no later change to the notice periods. Check with HR that your force's process matches.
What to include, line by line
- Who you are. Full name, rank, collar or warrant number, team and station. HR has to match the notice to the right record.
- A clear notice sentence. "I give formal written notice of my intention to resign (retire) from [force] in accordance with regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003." Avoid anything that sounds like a discussion ("I am thinking of leaving"), which may not count as notice.
- Your last day of service. A date, not "one month from today". Pay and pensionable service run to that day.
- Shorter notice, if you want it. Ask for it and ask for a written answer. The force can say no.
- Leave, TOIL and rest days. Ask for your annual leave position under Annex O and how TOIL, rest days in lieu and public holidays owed will be dealt with. There is no national rule for TOIL on leaving, so the force's answer matters.
- Final pay. Ask for a breakdown, including anything to be paid or recovered.
- Kit. Uniform and equipment belong to the force and are returned when you leave. Ask how and when.
- Pension. Ask for a leaver statement and a Remediable Service Statement if you have McCloud remedy service.
- References and contact. Who handles reference requests and a personal email for letters after you leave.
- A reason, only if you want. You do not have to give one.
How to send it and when
- Use the force process if there is one. Many forces have an HR form or online leaver request. Attach or paste your letter so the requests are on record.
- Make it written and dated. Email your line manager and HR, or hand it in and get a copy signed as received. Notice runs from when it is given in writing.
- Count back from your last day. One month before at the latest. If your new employer's start date is fixed, give notice early enough to avoid relying on shorter notice being accepted.
- Sort the pension first. Ask your administrator for a leaver estimate before you send the letter, especially if you are near 2 years' service, 25 or 30 years in the 1987 scheme, or 55.
- Keep a copy and a note of when and to whom you sent it.
Leaving on less than a month
Shorter notice is allowed only if the force accepts it. The builder adds a request automatically if your last day is before full notice ends. Practical points:
- Say why if it helps: a new employer's fixed start date is a common reason.
- Offer to use leave and TOIL to bring your last working day forward while keeping the notice period: it can achieve the same thing without needing consent to shorter notice. Agree it in writing.
- 1987 scheme members: regulation B1(2) says the ordinary pension does not apply to someone who leaves without the month's notice or accepted shorter notice, unless the authority decides otherwise. Do not just stop turning up.
Special cases
After you send it
- Get written confirmation of your last day and of any shorter notice accepted.
- Agree a leave and TOIL plan for your notice period with your line manager.
- Check your final pay estimate, including any payment in lieu or recovery. See final pay, leave and TOIL.
- Collect copies of training records, qualifications and appraisals for civilian applications, keeping to your force's information rules.
- Return your warrant card, uniform and equipment and get a receipt.
- Check the pension leaver statement against your own figures and diarise when each part is paid.
- Start on the next job: the CV translator, the Ex-Police CV Pack and the salary match calculator.
Mistakes to avoid
- Handing in notice a few weeks before 2 years' service, 25 or 30 years, or your 55th birthday without checking the pension effect.
- Giving notice "from today" without a last day, which leaves the date open to argument.
- Assuming shorter notice will be accepted and booking a new job start date on that basis.
- Resigning because of ill health without first asking about ill-health retirement.
- Putting anything confidential in the letter: operations, cases, colleagues' details or complaints. Raise grievances separately.
- Not keeping a copy, or not giving a personal email for pension letters.
Want to talk your pension through with someone?
Our calculators show the numbers, but some decisions (when to go, how much lump sum to take, your McCloud choice, a tax charge) are worth talking through with a regulated adviser. Tell us where you are and Andrew, who runs PolicePay, will reply by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I have to give to resign from the police?
One month's written notice for constables to chief superintendents, under the Home Office determination made under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 (Annex D). Chief officer ranks give three months. The force can accept shorter notice. Special constables give one month under the Special Constables Regulations 1965. Police staff and PCSOs follow their contract.
Is it regulation 14 or regulation 15 for police resignation?
Regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003, headed 'Retirement'. The Regulations use 'retire' for any voluntary leaving, including resigning. Regulation 14 lets the Home Secretary set the notice, which is done in Annex D of the determinations.
Who do I address a police resignation letter to?
Notice is given to the police pension authority, which for a Home Office force is the chief constable (the Commissioner in the Met). In practice you send it through your line manager and HR, or your force's online leaver process. Address it to the Chief Constable and say it is sent via your line manager and HR.
Do I have to give a reason for resigning from the police?
No. Nothing in the regulations requires a reason. Many forces ask for one in an exit interview or survey, which is separate from your notice.
Can I resign from the police with less than a month's notice?
Only if the force accepts shorter notice. Ask in the letter and get the answer in writing. If you are in the 1987 pension scheme, leaving without the month's notice or accepted shorter notice can affect your ordinary pension under regulation B1(2).
Can I take back my resignation?
Neither regulation 14 nor Annex D deals with withdrawing notice, so it is up to your force. Some force policies say a senior manager must agree. If you might change your mind, say so in writing as early as possible.
Can I use annual leave during my notice period?
Often yes, by agreement. Force policies commonly expect leave to be used during notice and some limit how many days. Annex O sets a pro rata calculation for leave on leaving, with payment in lieu or recovery. Ask HR for your figures in writing.
Can I resign while under investigation?
Yes. Since 15 December 2017 officers under investigation can resign without consent. But gross misconduct proceedings can continue after you leave and a resignation after an allegation leads to a report to the police advisory list. Get advice from your Federation rep before you send the letter.
Is my letter saved anywhere?
No. The builder runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us, saved or logged. If you close the page it is gone, so copy or download it first.
Should I email or hand in my resignation letter?
Use your force's process if it has one, such as an HR form or online leaver request. Otherwise email it to your line manager and HR so there is a dated record and keep a copy. The notice period runs from when you give written notice.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 21 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 14 (retirement) : notice set by Home Office determination; shorter notice may be accepted (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 13 (discharge of probationer) : reg 13(3) notice must be accepted even if under a month; reg 13(4) pay (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police regulations and determinations compilation, June 2016 (PFEW Derbyshire) : Annex D paras 1 to 3: one month, three months for chief officer ranks (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Home Office: amended regulation 14 determination, 15 December 2017 : suspension bar limited to 2004 and 2008 Conduct Regulations cases (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Home Office Circular 012/2017 : officers under investigation may resign; proceedings continue (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Special Constables Regulations 1965, regulation 3 : one month's written notice (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Pensions Act 1976, section 11 : police pension authority is the chief constable (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 1987, regulation B1 (as made) : ordinary pension and the notice condition in B1(2) (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Home Office: Annex O (annual leave), in force 1 April 2025 : pro rata leave on leaving: payment in lieu or compensation (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, regulation 4 : former officers and gross misconduct (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Act 1996, section 88I : advisory list report on resigning after an allegation (accessed 21 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
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Pensions, pay and protection
Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent reference site. This page is general information, not financial, pension, tax, employment-law or careers advice and it cannot consider your personal circumstances. Pension decisions can be hard to reverse: ask your pension administrator for a statement and, where the amounts are large, an FCA-authorised adviser. Rules and figures change, so check the sources for the date you are reading this. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 21 October 2026.