A POLICE force has now been without a chief constable for more than six months as calls are made to put rumours to bed about why the preferred candidate has not taken up the post.

Metropolitan Police commander Kyle Gordon will not take up the £170,000 per year post of chief constable of West Mercia Police, which covers Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire, as concern mounts over the future direction of the force.

In Worcestershire, Cllr Richard Udall has branded the situation 'a pantomime', described the force's morale as having plunged to 'rock bottom' and said it was quicker to have a baby than appoint a new chief constable.

His comments come after it was revealed on Friday by police and crime commissioner (PCC) John Campion that Mr Gordon would not be taking up the role. 

Meanwhile, Mel Allcott, Worcester's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, called for the £78,000 per year role of PCC (the PCC oversees the appointment of the chief constable) to be scrapped altogether because of the ongoing fiasco.

The previous chief constable, Pippa Mills, announced she would be leaving the post to return to the Metropolitan Police as an assistant commissioner on August 8 last year, leaving the post in October.

PREFERRED: Mystery still surrounds why Kyle Gordon has not taken up the post as chief constable of West Mercia Police PREFERRED: Mystery still surrounds why Kyle Gordon has not taken up the post as chief constable of West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)

Mr Campion who led the recruitment process announced Mr Gordon was the preferred candidate last December.

However, Mr Campion has so far declined to provide details about why Mr Gordon, who has 30 years of experience in policing, has not taken up the role other than to say  'unforeseen circumstances' lie behind the decision in a statement released on Friday.

Mr Campion declined to give a further update and a spokesperson said: "We have nothing further to say on this at the moment, so I will have to refer you to the statement that was issued on Friday."

LEADER: Police and crime commissioner John Campion has been called on to provide more information about 'rumours' as to why the appointment of a chief constable for West Mercia Police has been delayed LEADER: Police and crime commissioner John Campion has been called on to provide more information about 'rumours' as to why the appointment of a chief constable for West Mercia Police has been delayed (Image: Supplied)

On Friday Mr Campion said: “In December I announced that Kyle Gordon was my preferred candidate for the chief constable role at West Mercia Police. Following a change in circumstances which could not have been foreseen at the time, it has been agreed that Mr Gordon will not be taking up the role.

“I will continue to ensure West Mercia Police is focused on tackling crime and keeping our communities safe. I will provide further updates regarding the chief constable role in due course.”

Alex Murray remains as the temporary chief constable, supported by the rest of the chief officer team. The PCC says he will provide further updates, in due course, regarding the process of identifying a substantive chief constable. 

West Mercia Police Federation members are being reassured that acting chief constable Alex Murray ‘continues to offer stability’ within the force as the search for a new chief constable continues.

Chair of West Mercia Police Federation Steve Butler said: “The Police Federation was disappointed to hear that Kyle will no longer be taking up the post, as he came highly recommended by colleagues that have previously worked with him and said to be very supportive of both officers and the Federation.

“I’d like to reassure our members that his decision has very little impact on officers, as we have an acting chief constable, deputy chief constable Alex Murray, who has been doing a really good job. He offers the stability and continuity that our Force needs.

“Of course, we would welcome some permanency in the chief constable role, but at this time, we appreciate finding a replacement may take some time.”

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates were asked for their views of the situation.

Mel Allcott, who is seeking to become Worcester's next MP as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate, said:  "PCC John Campion is in an elected role with an incredibly high salary and his preferred candidate is not taking up the role.

"The PCC not being able to secure his preferred candidate highlights the nonsense of this role.  It is time now to put and end to this role and I hope a new government has the courage to do so.  Out with the PCC.  In with more community policing."

CRITICAL: Cllr Richard Udall described the situation involving the appointment of a new chief constable as a 'pantomime' CRITICAL: Cllr Richard Udall described the situation involving the appointment of a new chief constable as a 'pantomime' (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Richard Udall, lead member for crime and disorder on Worcestershire County Council, said: “This has been a pantomime, the West Mercia Police Constabulary has been without a head for over six months, we have heard rumours as to why the new chief has not been appointed, but we need to know the truth, to either confirm or deny these rumours.

"We need to have confidence that a new Chief can be appointed quickly, properly and with propriety. Morale is already at rock bottom, police officers need a new chief who can restore their faith in the system and to show real leadership.

"The police and crime commissioner, and his deputy, have to admit their errors, make a decision and confirm they have learned the lessons from this damaging fiasco. It appears residents in West Mercia can conceive, have a full pregnancy and deliver a baby quicker than John Campion and Marc Bayliss can appoint a chief constable."