Search under way again for new Humberside chief constable amid misconduct allegations

The recruitment process to find a new chief constable for Humberside Police has started again, five months after the force failed to receive a single application for the role.

The position has been held temporarily following the sudden retirement of Paul Anderson on 25 June, less than a year after he took up the role.

The following day, the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed Mr Anderson was being investigated over alleged misconduct in relation to his behaviour towards colleagues.

The Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison then revealed the OPCC had received "details of potential misconduct" relating to Mr Anderson on 12 June, and had referred the matter to the IOPC on 24 June.

The PCC is responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account over the force's performance.

Mr Evison later said he accepted his chief constable's retirement despite the IOPC investigation because it was cheaper than suspending him.

Applications for the vacancy, which has a salary of more than £170,000 a year, will close on 2 February.

The advert for the job said the ideal candidate would "drive excellence in performance and ensure the force realises its maximum potential".

The contract for the position will be for up to five years.

The recruitment process was postponed in October, after not receiving a single application, following criticism of the force's senior leadership by a police watchdog.

The inspectors said Humberside Police must improve the way it investigates crime after raising concerns about "lack of stability" in its leadership.

Meanwhile, a letter by a group of MPs alleged there was an "unprofessional and inappropriate culture" within the leadership team and "inappropriate practices" in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).

In a statement, the PCC said he believed the letter was "politically motivated" as he was voted in as a Conservative, and it was written by Labour MPs.

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