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Chief constable suspended and told to resign
Avon and Somerset chief constable Nick Gargan has been suspended and called on to resign after he was found guilty of misconduct.
Police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens said she had begun the process to require Gargan to resign due to a “lack of confidence by local people, police officers and staff”.
The move comes after an independent misconduct panel found Gargan guilty of eight counts of misconduct.
is needed now More than ever
It can now be revealed that among the proven allegations were “intimate” texts and images sent from his work iPhone, either taken by Gargan on the mobile or uploaded.
Allegations of inappropriate advanced to female staff members, which triggered the investigation 14 months ago, have also now been published for the first time. Gargan was cleared of the charges.
Mountstevens said she had taken the advice of the panel to give the chief constable, who she appointed in 2013, eight final written warnings.
But she added that she had now also started proceedings to force him to resign, using new powers brought in in 2012 which are being used for the first time.
She said: “Chief constable Nick Gargan has let down the colleagues he led and the communities he was there to protect.
“He abused his position by forwarding confidential emails, interfering with a proper recruitment process and sending, receiving and storing intimate images on his police issue phone.
“As the chief constable, Nick Gargan should have led by example and demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, values and professional behaviour. Instead he has shown flawed judgement and been found guilty of eight counts of misconduct including two of discreditable conduct.
“From what I have seen and heard, he has lost the confidence of local people, police officers and staff. Over the last six weeks since the panel’s findings concerns have been raised to me by the Chief Officer Group, Superintendents Association, Police Federation and Unison about Nick Gargan continuing to lead Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
“I believe that there is now a detrimental impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of him leading Avon and Somerset Constabulary, which is why I have today initiated the process to require him to resign. This is a separate process from the misconduct procedure and I will be writing to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor to seek his views.”
The process is expected to take another two months.
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 misconduct process has cost the force £576,382.96 so far. This does not include the cost of a separate IPCC investigation.
The total cost could more than double if Gargan chooses to claim compensation, forcing Avon and Somerset to pay out the remainder of his conract which runs until 2018.