Chief constable suspended after he’s accused of gross misconduct
THE chief constable of Cheshire police has been suspended amid allegations of gross misconduct.
A complaint was first made about the behaviour of Simon Byrne last year and another force was brought in to carry out an independent inquiry.
Yesterday the officer – awarded the Queens police Medal in the 2016 New Year’s honours list – was removed from duty by the county’s police and crime commissioner after an initial investigation found there was a ‘case to answer’.
A hearing is expected to be held later this year.
last night the exact nature of the allegations threatening to jeopardise Mr Byrne’s distinguished 35- year career remained a mystery.
however, it is understood the investigation was launched in December after a complaint about his behaviour towards a fellow officer.
At the time Mr Byrne, a former assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan police, said he was unaware of the nature of the complaint but that he remained committed to policing in Cheshire.
the allegations relate to ‘authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct’, said David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire.
In a statement, Mr Keane added that ‘ having carefully considered the evidence’, a decision had been taken to suspend Mr Byrne from the post until a misconduct hearing could be held. he said the inquiry began after advice from the Independent police Complaints Commission in November.
‘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,’ said Mr Keane.
‘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. I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing.’
Deputy chief constable Janette McCormick will take on the role of acting chief constable.
Mr Byrne, a married father-oftwo, began his police career in 1982 in london with the Metropolitan police. he transferred to Merseyside police in 1985 and became an assistant chief constable there in 2006.
In 2009 he moved to Greater Manchester police as deputy chief constable before becoming chief constable of Cheshire in June 2014, after a spell back at Scotland Yard.
he sits on the Sentencing Council for england and Wales, which is responsible for court sentencing guidelines.