Chief Constable asked to resign after guilty misconduct verdicts

Chief Constable Nick Gargan has "let down the colleagues he led and the communities he was there to protect", Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said.

Ms Mountstevens said: "As the chief constable, Nick Gargan should have led by example and demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, values and professional behaviour.

"Instead he has shown flawed judgment and been found guilty of eight counts of misconduct including two of discreditable conduct."

She said she believed he had "lost the confidence of local people, police officers and staff."

"I believe that there is now a detrimental impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of him leading Avon and Somerset Constabulary, which is why I have today initiated the process to require him to resign."

It is a "huge disappointment" that Avon and Somerset Police chief constable Nick Gargan has been asked to resign after being found guilty of misconduct, the Chief Police Officers Staff Association has said.

A spokesman for CPOSA said Mr Gargan was "deeply sorry" and that his first priority on returning to the force would be to rebuild confidence in the force and in him as leader.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Gargan, the spokesman said: "After five months of investigation and a 15 month process, the panel made findings of "flawed judgement" and "ill-advised" behaviour

"Chief Constable Gargan is deeply sorry for these and is committed to learning from them.

“We note and respect the views of certain groups of current and retired staff. We share their regret that the good name of the constabulary has been tarnished.

"But the overwhelming majority of the rumours surrounding the chief constable have turned out not to be true; indeed none of the initial allegations that prompted his suspension led to a misconduct finding, let alone a finding of gross misconduct or criminal behaviour. He welcomes publication of the panel's report."

Avon and Somerset Police chief constable Nick Gargan, who has been found guilty of eight counts of misconduct, was today asked to resign by police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens.