New Chief Constable identified

A police commissioner who had to re-advertise for a chief constable when his original favourite pulled out, has identified a new candidate for the job.

West Mercia Police has been without a permanent chief constable since Pippa Mills' departure in October 2023.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion initially chose Kyle Gordon, commander in the Metropolitan Police, but last summer he said he was pulling out, due to a "change in circumstances".

Campion has now announced his new preferred candidate is the man who has been standing in as Temporary Chief Constable, Richard Cooper.

The PCC said he would present his recommendation to the members of the Police and Crime Panel for their confirmation on 19 March.

No reason has been given for the "change in circumstances" which caused Mr Gordon to withdraw, but Campion said at the time it "could not have been foreseen".

Mr Cooper became West Mercia Police's Temporary Chief Constable in August, and said the opportunity would be "the greatest privilege" of his career.

He has been a police officer since 1998 with Gloucestershire Police and then West Mercia Police.

Campion said he was committed to finding "a chief constable who would bring stability to the force".

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