Chief Constable of Cheshire Police suspended
Following allegations of gross misconduct, the chief constable of Cheshire police – Simon Byrne has been suspended.
PC David Keane said in a statement: “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. In light of this determination, I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing.”
The nature of the allegations have not been disclosed and the PCC will not be making any further comment to “preserve the integrity of the ongoing process.”
Mr Byne has been the chief constable of Cheshire constabulary since June 2014, previously working for the Metropolitan police, Greater Manchester police and Merseyside Police. He was awarded the Queen’s Police medal last year. His deputy, Janette McCormick, will take on the role of acting chief constable.
A spokesperson for the IPCC said: “The IPCC received a referral in relation to this matter in November 2016. Following a careful assessment we passed it back to the appropriate authority, in this case the Cheshire police and crime commissioner, for a local investigation to be conducted.”
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