New role for Sheffield police chief after 'concern' triggers internal investigation

Chief Superintendent Una Jennings was made the subject of an internal investigation towards the end of last year, with bosses revealing that ‘an internal concern’ had been raised ‘in relation to a senior officer’.

No other details were provided but Chf Supt Jennings was temporarily replaced as District Commander and moved out of her office at Attercliffe police station.

She was tasked with completing a report on a collaboration project for seven forces in the region while the internal investigation was carried out.

The police probe has now concluded and Chf Supt Jennings has now been appointed as Head of Crime.

She is due to begin the new role today.

South Yorkshire Police said: “The internal process has now concluded and all parties have been informed of the outcome.

“As this was not a conduct or criminal matter we will not be sharing any further details in this regard.

“Chief Superintendent Una Jennings will take on the role of Head of Crime from Monday, March 15.”

Shelley Hemsley, who took over as Sheffield’s District Commander for the duration of the internal investigation, will continue in the role.

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

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.

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.

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

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