Tributes and thanks have been paid to Leicestershire and Rutland's chief constable ahead of his departure next month. 

Members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel paid tribute to the outgoing chief Rob Nixon, who retires next month. 

He took charge in 2022 and has served more than 30 years as a police officer, first joining the Leicestershire force as a constable. 

Police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews (Con) said: "I think Rob Nixon has been an exemplary chief constable, I don't think I have ever known more about policing. I just wanted to take the opportunity to put on public record, of all the hard work he has done, his skills as a police officer and the consummate way he is able to handle a budget to make sure that it is spent efficiently and effectively keeping the people of Leicestershire, and Rutland as safe as it is possible to do. While at the same time keep on good terms with all our partner organisations." 

Melton councillor Sarah Cox, who worked within the police service with Rob Nixon for two decades, said: "Thank you for your service. You have exceptional, exacting standards. All of us who worked for him witnessed that. He certainly kept us on our toes and I think that was because of our community to the community and getting the best results for them." 

North West Leicestershire councillor Andrew Woodman said: "We have had quite a few tricky things to deal with, but you have always done it with a great deal of class and dignity." 

Perhaps hinting at some issues between the outgoing chief and the police and crime commissioner, after thanking the chief constable for his work Coun Sarah Russell (Labour) asked: "Have you felt supported through the budget and has the working relationship with the commissioner been constructive?" 

Mr Nixon said: "You would not expect me to comment on the personal degree of support from Rupert to me as chief. You know me far better than that. What I would do, as Rupert transitions towards his third chief, once that person is recruited, I will gladly be sitting down with Rupert sharing some observations. You have sparked a role in my head about the role of the panel in ensuring there is that balance of the police and crime commissioner holding the chief to account, but also the balance of understanding empathy and support. I will give that some reflection."