ACCs and above targeted for West Midlands chief constable role

The country’s second-biggest force is writing to every senior officer in the UK to find a new Chief.

West Midlands Police are reaching out to every force to recruit a new Chief Constable.

After announcing that Sir Dave Thompson was retiring, the force’s Police and Crime Commissioner revealed he is contacting everyone at a rank equivalent to Assistant Chief Constable or above, to invite their interest.

In his pitch, Simon Foster described the role – which has a £205,400 salary – as “one of the most exciting and complex jobs in UK policing”.

The force is following the example of Norfolk, whose PCC wrote to every senior officer in the country and even the entrants of the Strategic Command course to find a replacement for Simon Bailey.

Mr Foster has gone early: the full job description and recruitment pack hasn’t even been written yet.

His letter said: “I am keen to see a broad and diverse range of candidates, and will be running an open and transparent process. A consultation on the Chief Constable role description is underway and l will appoint a broad stakeholder panel to support me. I make no assumptions and have no preconceptions as to the successful candidate.”

It’s not the only senior post available: the force is also currently looking for an Assistant Chief Constable.

But it is one of the biggest jobs in policing with a population of 3 million people who live in three of the country’s biggest cities.

As well as security concerns for two major airports, tackling violent crime is a top priority; the force’s Fed has raised concerns that officers deal with some of the highest rates of knife and gun crime in the UK.

And Sir David Thompson is known to be concerned that the current ranks are not sufficiently diverse enough to reflect the community they serve.

This has prompted speculation that the force could appoint a BAME candidate – especially as there isn’t currently a Chief leading a force from a BAME community.

Mr Foster said in his letter: “I place particular emphasis on equality and diversity, partnership working, prevention and early intervention, and will be looking for an inspirational and progressive policing leader to work with me for the benefit of people and communities across the West Midlands.” 

The PCC’s move will renew concerns raised by HM Inspectorate over the past two years at the pool of talent available and the lack of experienced officers in the top job. A run of retirements mean there is now a significant cadre of Chiefs who have spent less than two years in the job.

Norfolk’s PCC resorted to the mailout because the list of candidates for that job wasn’t enough to create a meaningful competition.

Recent appointments have included not only Norfolk, which promoted internally, but Avon and Somerset, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

West Midlands are also pitched against two other forces also hunting for a new chief – and for one of them it means the challenge will only get harder.

Leicestershire is looking for a successor to Simon Coles who is retiring after 12 years leading the force.

Cleveland had to abandon its bid to find a successor to Richard Lewis because the field of applicants wasn’t strong enough. The force promoted Helen McMillan to acting Chief until it decides next steps.

WMP has time on its side as Sir David isn’t standing down until after the Commonwealth Games ends in August.

Mr Foster said: “His legacy of innovation and leadership leaves the Force well placed for the challenges in the years ahead. I will be seeking a Chief Constable who is able to match and develop Sir David’s local and national standing and ability, and take the force forward to even higher levels of performance.”