Ref: PCC/D/2023/32
Executive Summary
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act)
provides that a Police and Crime Commissioner must appoint a person to be the
chief constable of the police force for the area.
The previous substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Pippa Mills, left
the post in October 2023 to take up a new role in The Metropolitan Police. Alex
Murray has served as Temporary Chief Constable since 23rd October 2023.
In response to the departure of CC Mills, two recruitment exercises have been
undertaken to identify a new substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia. At the
conclusion of the most recent recruitment exercise Kyle Gordon has been
identified by the Commissioner as the preferred candidate for the post.
The proposed appointment of the Chief Constable is subject to confirmation by the
Police and Crime Panel.
Proposal
It is proposed that the Police and Crime Commissioner confirm his selection of Kyle
Gordon as preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.
Approval Of
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
Part 1 – Non-Confidential/Exempt Facts and Figures
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act)
provides that a Police and Crime Commissioner must appoint a person to be the
chief constable of the police force for the area.
The previous substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Pippa Mills, left
the post in October 2023 to take up a new role in The Metropolitan Police. Alex
Murray has served as Temporary Chief Constable since 23rd October 2023.
In response to the departure of CC Mills, two recruitment exercises have been
undertaken to identify a new substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia. At the
conclusion of the most recent recruitment exercise Kyle Gordon has been
identified by the Commissioner as the preferred candidate for the post.
The recruitment processes were managed by the PCC’s Chief Executive and
Monitoring Officer. They were overseen by an independent member who advised
the Commissioner, and were subject to ongoing consultation and guidance from
the College of Policing.
The role was initially advertised in September with an assessment centre taking
place on October 26th 2023. The PCC decided not to appoint a candidate from this
process.
The role was readvertised in November 2023. Two applications were received,
which is in line with national averages for Chief Constable appointment processes.
Both candidates were shortlisted to take part in an assessment centre for the role.
The assessment centre took place on Tuesday 12th December 2023 at West
Mercia Police headquarters, Hindlip Park.
The assessment centre consisted of three elements:
Staff Forum
Candidates were required to lead a one hour Staff Forum on the subject of Trust
and Confidence in Policing.
Approximately 30 West Mercia Police officers and staff supported the process and
provided feedback on the sessions led by each candidate. Sessions were not
scored by the Forum, but feedback formed part of a summary report, taken by the
PCC’s Chief Executive.
Stakeholder Panel
Candidates delivered a presentation ahead of an interview with a panel of senior
stakeholders from local partner organisations. These included criminal justice
agencies, the courts service, the NHS and local authorities.
Appointment Panel
Formal interviews were conducted with candidates following the conclusion of the
Staff Forum and Stakeholder Panel sessions.
The Panel consisted of five members:
John Campion – Police and Crime Commissioner
Shaun Davies – Leader, Telford & Wrekin Council
David Shaw – Former Chief Constable, West Mercia Police
Adele Cope – Director of HR, Worcester University (Independent Member)
Marc Bayliss – Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
The panel was supported by the Commissioner’s Chief Executive who also
observed the interviews and provided briefings to the Panel on the findings from
the Staff Forum and Stakeholder Panel.
At the conclusion of interviews the Panel scored the candidates’ interviews and
provided summary feedback to the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Following consideration of all the available information and guidance, the
Commissioner determined that Kyle Gordon was his preferred candidate for the
position.
The proposed appointment of the Chief Constable is subject to confirmation by the
Police and Crime Panel.
Strategic Considerations
This decision supports the following element(s) of the Safer West Mercia Plan:
- Putting victims and survivors first
- Reforming West Mercia
- Building a more secure West Mercia
- Reassuring West Mercia’s communities
The decision supports this/ these objective(s) through the following:
Ensures compliance with PCC statutory requirement
Supports delivery of all core elements of PCC’s Safer West Mercia Plan
through effective leadership of West Mercia Police
Treasurer Comments
Salary and other costs associated with the post of Chief Constable are met from
the agreed budget for West Mercia Police.
Provision has been made for the financial requirements of this appointment within
the budget and as an ongoing commitment.
Signature: Paul Benfield
Date: 13/12/23
Legal Considerations
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social
Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything
which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the
functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other
agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of
property (including land).
Public Access to Information
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act)
and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia
Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made
automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a
separate Part 2 report.
Officer Approval
Chief Executive Officer
Gareth Boulton
Date: 13/12/2023
