Cheshire's Chief Constable suspended over claims of gross misconduct

simonbyrne

Simon Byrne, the Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary, has been suspended following an independant investigation into his conduct.

An allegation about the Chief Constable's conduct was made towards the end of 2016, which was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and then passed back to the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner for a local investigation - which has now been completed.

Having considered the evidence, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, David Keane has determined that there is a case to answer for gross misconduct and the matter will be referred to an independently chaired gross misconduct hearing.

David Keane said: "Following allegations made in late 2016 against Chief Constable Simon Byrne and following advice from the IPCC, a local investigation conducted by an external police force has been underway in accordance with the statutory police conduct regime.

"Following receipt of the Investigation Report, and having carefully considered the evidence, I have determined that there is a case to answer for gross misconduct with regards to Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct. This matter must now be referred to an independently chaired gross misconduct hearing.

"In light of this determination, I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing. Deputy Chief Constable McCormick will be undertaking the role of Acting Chief Constable.

"I will not be making any further comment on the matter at this time in order to preserve the integrity of the on-going process."

Mr Byrne received the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) for distinguished service or gallantry in June 2016.

His career began in 1982 on the beat in the Paddington and the St John's Wood area as a Metropolitan Police officer. Three years later, he transferred to Merseyside Police where he worked in uniform, CID and at Headquarters, and in 2002 he took the lead role as the police commander for policing Knowsley.

He transferred to Greater Manchester Police in 2009 as Deputy Chief Constable then returned to the Met in 2011 where he headed up the largest operational command in the country, running day-to-day policing in London.

In June 2014 Mr Byrne returned to his home county, to become Cheshire's Chief Constable.

Tags:
Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner, David Keane, Simon Byrne
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