Frustration as civic chiefs find out top police job news through the press despite assurances

There is frustration civic chiefs tasked with scrutinising the police keep finding out about top job dismissals and appointments through the press. The police and crime panel, which is made of councillors who hold police and crime commissioner to account, were kept in the dark for months over the suspension of deputy chief constable Shaun West.

The issue was raised at their most recent meeting on November 1 and assurances were given to them that they would be kept informed in future. Conservative Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson also told that meeting that they would keep them abreast of top arrivals at the force as well as any departures.

However, the chairman of the panel, Cllr Steve Robinson (L, Nailsworth), told Gloucestershire County Council’s (GCC) meeting just days later that he only found out of the appointment of a temporary deputy chief constable Katy Barrow-Grint through the press. He made the comments as Councillor David Willingham (LD, St Peter’s and St Mark’s) shared his concerns that civic chiefs were finding out the problems affecting the constabulary via the media and not through direct channels from the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

READ MORE: Concerns police chief constable's suspension is 'being played out in the court of public opinion'

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson advent calendar leaves fans stunned at 'phenomenal' price

“I’ve certainly had nothing to tell GCC email to tell me first hand what is going on. I don’t really think that’s a great place for us to be.”

Cllr Robinson said the panel is a critical friend of the PCC but said they were not informed about the deputy chief constable’s suspension. And nor were they given a heads-up about the appointment of an interim deputy.

“Part of that is that we are there to make sure the PCC and his office are cared for in the correct manner,” he said. “We did say we were disappointed that we weren't informed we didn't have a deputy.

“I don’t think it would have come to light had the chief constable not been suspended. But we didn’t have a deputy for some months and although we are not responsible in any way for the appointment of the deputy - that is for the chief constable - we were disappointed.

“It was noted and hopefully that will not happen again with such a senior post. Saying that, I did read yesterday that we have appointed a temporary deputy again and I had to read that in the press.

“[I’m] still a little bit disappointed about that.”