Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has announced that current Deputy Chief Constable David Thompson is his preferred candidate to be the next Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.
The announcement follows a rigorous selection process by the PCC which began with members of the public contributing towards the job description and concluded with a two day assessment.
During the assessment the successful candidate was grilled by a group of the PCC’s Youth Commissioners and a Citizens’ Panel. Prior to this, the public were invited to put forward their views on the qualities they believe the next Chief Constable should demonstrate.
The preferred candidate to be the next Chief Constable, David Thompson, will now go before the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel for confirmation on 12 October. If he is confirmed by the panel, the Police and Crime Commissioner will formally appoint him as the next Chief Constable in the days that follow the meeting.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said,
“David Thompson is an excellent police officer who I am delighted to announce as my preferred candidate to be the next Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.
“He will now go forward to the Police and Panel for confirmation on October 12th.
“David Thompson is clearly the best person in the country for the post.
“The current Chief Constable Chris Sims has been an excellent servant to the police and will continue to be so over the coming months.”
David Thompson said,
“I am absolutely delighted to be the preferred candidate for the post of Chief Constable of West Midlands Police. I look forward to appearing before the panel’s confirmation hearing on 12 October.”
Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, the PCC is responsible for appointing Chief Constables. Following the assessment, the PCC informs the Police and Crime Panel of the preferred candidate. The panel must consider the appointment within three weeks and hold a confirmation hearing in public.
The panel will then give a view on whether or not the candidate should be appointed to the role. The panel has the power to veto the PCC’s choice, but there must be a two thirds majority of the panel to do so.
If the panel confirms the preferred candidate, the PCC will then be able to appoint the next Chief Constable.
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