After weeks of preparations, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has started his formal process to recruit West Mercia Police’s next chief constable.
The chief constable is the most senior rank an officer can hold in the West Mercia Police and is responsible for the delivery of policing services and effectively leading law enforcement.
A spokesperson for the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The PCC has reiterated his pledge to appoint a candidate who is focused on delivering safer stronger communities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire by focusing on the public’s policing priorities, driving down crime and spending taxpayers’ money wisely.”
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West Mercia has been looking for a permanent chief constable since Pippa Mills left the role in October 2023.
In December 2023, Mr Campion announced Kyle Gordon, a commander in the Metropolitan Police, as his preferred candidate and Mr Gordon was confirmed as the next chief constable a month later.
However, Mr Gordon, who also worked with the British Transport Police and the Police Service for Northern Ireland. was unable to take up the position ‘Following a change in circumstances which could not have been foreseen at the time’ according to Mr Campion.
Deputy chief constable Richard Cooper has been serving as temporary chief constable since the summer while the PCC prepared the process of finding a new chief constable.
Mr Campion said: “I am committed to appointing a permanent chief constable that will work with me to deliver on the public’s priorities through my police and crime plan.
“With the backing of the public and record levels of investment into West Mercia Police, it is important the steps made in this next chapter build on the significant progress made as well as recognising there is more to do to build a safer West Mercia.”