Nick Gargan suspended (again)
At last something from the sorry saga of Chief Constable Nick Gargan that seems to sensible. Today Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens used powers under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act (section 38) to progress the procedure calling upon the Chief Constable ‘to resign or retire,’ due to a lack of confidence by local people, police officers and staff in his position as leader of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Following on from an independent misconduct panel which found Gargan guilty of eight counts of misconduct last month, the panel wrote to Sue Mountstevens recommending the highest sanction available for misconduct of eight final written warnings. Sue Mountstevens followed their recommendations in a sanction hearing held this morning.
Following today’s announcement Chief Constable Nick Gargan has been suspended. Acting Chief Constable John Long will continue to lead Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Following John Long’s retirement at the end of August, Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Morgan will take over on a temporary basis as Chief Constable.
The sooner this process can be concluded and a new Chief Constable appointed, the better for the county and our police service.