CHESHIRE’S police chief, Simon Byrne, has been suspended pending a hearing into allegations made against him late last year.
Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick will undertake the role of Acting Chief Constable.
This was revealed today by the Warrington-based Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, David Keane.
He said: “Following allegations made in late 2016 against Chief Constable Simon Byrne and following advice from the IPCC, a local investigation conducted by an external police force has been underway in accordance with the statutory police conduct regime.
“Following receipt of the Investigation Report, and having carefully considered the evidence, I have determined that there is a case to answer for gross misconduct with regards to Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct.
“This matter must now be referred to an independently chaired gross misconduct hearing.
“In light of this determination, I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing. Deputy Chief Constable McCormick will be undertaking the role of Acting Chief Constable.
“I will not be making any further comment on the matter at this time in order to preserve the integrity of the on-going process.”
3 Comments
Without diminishing the due process against the Chief Constables, I believe it would also be in the public interest for P&CCs to be subject to the same level of more immediate independent scrutiny in the event of allegations of wrong doing made against them; instead of the current convoluted process which only the Home Office can initiate. Being elected doesn’t make them any less likely to misbehave.
There is scrutiny. The Police and Crime Panel have made it very clear what they make of the incumbent PCC. The problem isn’t scrutiny. It’s the ability to take action.
Accepted. I meant the ability to deal positively with any misbehaviour. Re: your point on the P&CC, I read a few weeks ago of one such committee vetoing the P&CC’s choice of his deputy and actually preventing the engagement of that individual. Our P&CC seemed to imply they were powerless to act similarly in the case the unfit for purpose Cllr Drir.