News / Crime
Chief constable to face misconduct charge
The chief constable of Avon and Somerset will face a charge of gross misconduct over allegations he made inappropriate advances to female staff.
Nick Gargan was suspended in May and investigations by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) were made into the allegations over his behaviour and the improper disclosure of information.
The IPCC provided a report to Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens who today said Gargan had a case to answer.
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She said a misconduct panel hearing would take place “in the next few months”.
“The IPCC put forward a number of recommendations regarding Nick Gargan. In accordance with those recommendations, I have made the decision there is a case to answer for gross misconduct and therefore I will refer the allegations to a misconduct hearing in front of an independent misconduct panel. I will not be involved in the misconduct panel,” she said in a statement.
“The misconduct panel will consist of a leading counsel from a Home Office agreed list, who will act as Chair of the Panel, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary or another HMIC inspector of constabulary nominated by him and an independent member of the public.
“The members of the panel will decide if the allegations are proven or not and will present their recommendations to me. I will ensure that these recommendations are made public.
“The exact timing of the misconduct panel will depend on various factors, however it will take place as soon as possible, hopefully in the next few months.”
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