Wiltshire Police is removing the rank of chief inspector as part of a structure review. 

Further scrutiny of the force is expected with changes to positions of other senior officers and staff expected.

The restructure has been introduced as part of the police's reaction to the recession which has blighted Britain’s economy for much of this decade.

Wiltshire Police chief constable Pat Geenty believes the changes will offer more freedom to officers on the frontline.

He said: “I want to create an empowered workforce where our staff feel capable and confident in making decisions that ultimately have the best interests of the public in mind. That means flattening our structure, reducing bureaucracy and closing the gap between what is happening on the frontline and what is being said at a leadership level.

“Clearly the removal of any rank structures, whether they are police officer or police staff, requires careful and considered management. This is not something that we can achieve overnight nor would we want to. It will start with the removal of the chief inspector rank but we will be reviewing other senior police officer and staff ranks and roles too.”