ONE IN 10 POLICE CHIEFS STAND DOWN AMID MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
One in 10 chief constables have stepped down from their posts amid misconduct allegations or vetting problems in the last year.
Humberside’s Paul Anderson became the latest casualty by announcing his retirement after being told that he was under investigation for alleged inappropriate behaviour following complaints by junior staff.
Mr Anderson’s retirement was announced on Tuesday ahead of the disclosure 24 hours later that he was the subject of a misconduct inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
He is the fourth out of 43 chief constables in England and Wales to step aside or quit after allegations over inappropriate behaviour or outstanding vetting issues.
It is thought the number is unprecedented and follows the high-profile sacking of Nick Adderley last week as chief constable of Northamptonshire for lying about his military service.
The IOPC said it had begun its investigation into Mr Anderson after a “mandatory conduct referral” by Humberside’s police and crime commissioner Jonathan Evison.
“The referral, received on Monday (24 June), contained allegations concerning standards of behaviour, largely related to communication and behaviour towards colleagues,” said the IOPC.
“We will now conduct a thorough investigation, independently of the police, into the matters brought to our attention.”
The investigation at this stage is a disciplinary one. A severity test will now be carried out by the IOPC to assess whether there are any criminal matters and whether the alleged behaviours, if proven, amount to misconduct or much more severe gross misconduct.
Mr Evison said that Mr Anderson’s retirement would not mean he avoided answering any allegations. Mr Anderson took over running the force with Humberside rated as outstanding and the best performing force ever assessed by the policing inspectorate.
He worked in policing for 34 years and joined Humberside police as an assistant chief constable in 2019, becoming deputy chief constable, before rising to chief constable in August 2023.
Devon and Cornwall police’s chief constable, Will Kerr, was suspended last year over serious sexual allegations in a protracted investigation.
Last week the West Mercia force lost its incoming new chief constable, Kyle Gordon after a vetting issue, and thus was left without permanent leadership.
The force said its incoming chief will not be taking up the job despite his appointment being announced seven months ago, and with him yet to work a day in the role.
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has refused to say why, other than to confirm that a “pre-employment process” took place before any new chief could start. Two senior policing sources say the issue relates to “vetting”.
2024-06-27T19:31:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd
