THE HUNT for the next Chief Constable for West Midlands Police is on and the man in charge of finding the perfect candidate is calling on the public to help him make his decision.
Current Chief Constable Chris Sims announced last month that he will be stepping down from the role at the start of 2016, adding that it had been a “fantastic privilege” to lead the force through six challenging years.
The process to replace him has started with an appeal for help to draw up the qualities, skills and experiences required from the Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson.
Mr Jamieson says he will also be forming a new youth panel and a citizens panel to help to find the next top cop.
The job of appointing the Chief Constable passed to the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
He said: “Appointing a new Chief Constable is a big decision and that’s why I want to have as much input from the people of the West Midlands as possible.
“There are things that Chief Constables of every police force must do, whichever force they lead, but I want local people to tell me what special qualities and characteristics they want from the West Midlands’ next Chief Constable.
“We are a large and diverse region and our police force is the second largest in England, it is therefore only correct that I seek as much involvement from the community as possible to make sure that the public have a Chief Constable who is fully accountable to them as well as myself.”
