Humberside chief announces retirement after referral to police watchdog

Chief Constable Paul Anderson is to retire after 34 years in policing and just one year after becoming chief of Humberside Police. The announcement comes shortly after the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner referred Mr Anderson to the Independent Office for Police Conduct having received details of his ‘potential misconduct.’

The BBC reported that the IOPC said the allegations are, “largely related to communication and behaviour towards colleagues”. It added: “We will now conduct a thorough investigation, independently of the police, into the matters brought to our attention.” At the time of writing, the IOPC had not published anything about the case on its website.

Jonathan Evison, the recently re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner, said that his office had received details of the potential misconduct on 12 June and following enquiries ‘and due consideration’ was ‘obliged to refer the matter to the IOPC.’ The referral was made on 24 June.

On 25 June, Humberside Police said the chief had announced his retirement. Mr Anderson said, “It has been a difficult decision to make to retire from the force but it is the right time for me personally to make this announcement. It has and will always be my absolute honour to have served the public.”

Later on the same day, the IOPC confirmed that it had begun an independent investigation. The PCC said that the IOPC investigation will continue notwithstanding Paul Anderson’s retirement.

The PCC added that he is ‘in discussions to secure interim leadership while the recruitment process starts for a new Chief Constable.’

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