Ref: PCC/D/2023/27
Executive Summary
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to appoint a Chief Constable to lead the police force.
The current Chief Constable Pippa Mills has notified the Commissioner of her intent to leave the role in order to become Assistant Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police. It has been agreed she will depart from her role in West Mercia on 22nd October 2023.
Recruitment for the substantive Chief Constable role is ongoing. However it is necessary to appoint a temporary Chief Constable to the role, pending the outcome of the substantive recruitment process.
Having considered all available options, the PCC wishes to appoint West Mercia Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Alex Murray as Temporary Chief Constable from 23rd October 2023.
Proposal
It is proposed that the Police and Crime Commissioner appoint Deputy Chief Constable Alex Murray as Temporary Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, from 23rd October 2023.
Approval Of
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
Part 1 – Non-Confidential/Exempt Facts and Figures
Supporting Report
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to appoint a Chief Constable to lead the police force.
The current Chief Constable Pippa Mills has notified the Commissioner of her intent to leave the role in order to become Assistant Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police. It has been agreed she will depart from her role in West Mercia on 22nd October 2023.
Recruitment for the substantive Chief Constable role is ongoing. This process is subject to significant guidance and requirements around good practice. These factors, combined with the importance of the role, dictate that it is not a process that can be rushed.
This creates an interim period between the departure of CC Mills and the arrival of West Mercia’s next Chief Constable. It is therefore necessary for the PCC to appoint a Temporary Chief Constable.
In order to be considered for the role of Chief Constable a person must have held a role as a police officer, and held a rank of at least Assistant Chief Constable or Commander.
Options were presented to the PCC around the temporary position. The PCC determined that continuity of leadership and stability were key considerations to the temporary appointment, from both a public and policing perspective. The opportunity was therefore made available via expressions of interest to all eligible chief officers within West Mercia Police. The process was managed by the PCC’s Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer and overseen by an independent member.
Having considered all available options, the PCC wishes to appoint West Mercia Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Alex Murray as Temporary Chief Constable from 23rd October 2023. The end date of the appointment will be dependent on the outcome of the substantive Chief Constable recruitment.
This temporary appointment does not require confirmation by West Mercia 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 delivery against statutory PCC requirement
• Ensures continuity of delivery of effective and efficient policing for communities across West Mercia
• Ensures essential continuity of leadership for West Mercia Police
Benefits and their Realisation
Continuity of service and stability of leadership pending substantive Chief Constable recruitment process.
Author
Gareth Boulton
Date: 04/09/2023
Financial and Treasurer Comments
The decision is financially neutral. The Temporary Chief Constable will be appointed to the same salary pay point as the Chief Constable.
Date: 05/09/2023
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
Date: 05/09/2023
