Cheshire chief constable cleared of misconduct

FORMER Cheshire chief constable Simon Byrne, who was accused of bullying staff, has been cleared of misconduct.
The decision, by an independent panel, was announced at a hearing at Warrington Town Hall today
Mr Byrne, who was suspended by Cheshire Constabulary last year following accusations of bullying and humiliating staff between May 2014 and March last year, said he had been “totally exonerated of any wrongdoing.”
But the misconduct hearing, earlier this year, had been told he had a reputation for being like Star Wars villain Darth Vader.
The independent panel said it found none of the allegations of gross misconduct or misconduct were proved.
Gerry Boyle, QC, representing Mr Byrne said the panel also found the proceedings “could and should have been avoided.”
David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “The independent panel has stated in its report that the allegations against Mr Byrne are not proved and are therefore dismissed. “Multiple allegations were made against the former chief constable and the North Yorkshire Police investigation identified multiple cases of misconduct to answer.  When faced with such allegations against the county’s chief constable, I believed I had no realistic alternative but to place the matter before an independent panel for determination of the facts. Any other course would have been against my core values of fairness and openness, and I will not oversee a police service where such allegations aren’t taken seriously.
“This process has been time-consuming and costly due the complexities of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012.
“Incidentally, the government, who set the regulations, has announced it is amending the process in which complaints against chief officers are dealt with. This is a sign that it recognises the current process needs changing.
“The panel, in concluding their findings, did identify that chief constables in a case such as this would benefit from formal mentoring and that this type of support may, in future, prevent a similar situation leading to an investigation and misconduct hearing of this nature. I agree with this recommendation and will encourage the NPCC to take it forward.
“There will be a number of people who remain significantly affected and will need to be supported. I would ask that their feelings are respected.”
Mr Byrne, 55, became chief constable of Cheshire in 2014.
In a statement released after the hearing, he said: “I am very pleased to have been totally exonerated of any wrongdoing, despite the police and crime commissioner trying to throw the book at me.”
He said it had been “an ordeal” and that “in some ways, it still feels like upside down justice as I have lost my vocation after 35 years of public service.”
Mr Byrne’s contract with Cheshire Police expired earlier this year. His job is already being advertised but it is understood that, technically, he could re-apply for the post.