Deputy mayor ‘seeking assurances’ over police plans for mass surveillance cameras in North YorkshireOverall crime down but robberies up in North YorkshirePolice commissioner rejects advice to delay appointment of chief constable

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has rejected advice to delay the appointment of a new chief constable.

The current chief constable, Lisa Winward, announced last month she will retire on March 31, 2024.

As a result, members of North Yorkshire and York’s police, fire and crime panel, which met at City of York Council yesterday, urged Conservative commissioner Zoë Metcalfe to postpone the recruitment process for up to 15 months.

Ms Winward’s retirement will come just weeks before a new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who will take on police commissioner powers including the ability to appoint a chief constable, will be elected.

The panel felt the delay would ensure senior police officers had sufficient time to see eye-to-eye with the new mayor.

Ms Metcalfe, however, rejected the guidance today. She felt months of temporary leadership would not be in the public’s best interest.

She said:

“As the single elected individual with responsibility for the totality of policing and crime for York and North Yorkshire, I have a duty to ensure that the force has outstanding, inspirational long-term leadership to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.

“I was surprised that some panel members saw fit to substitute their preference, not just for my decision, but for the considered professional views of all national stakeholders with a remit for excellence in police leadership.

“It gives me no pleasure to say that the recommendations of those key national stakeholders outweigh the panel’s recommendation.

“I stand by my decision.”

Ms Metcalfe added:

“This is a crucial time for the programme of improvements for North Yorkshire Police.

“The role of chief constable of North Yorkshire Police is a terrific opportunity for an inspirational, visionary chief police officer.

“The process for selection will be open, rigorous, exciting and challenging – and will involve a broad range of local and national key partner organisations so that York and North Yorkshire can be sure that we have the very best of police leadership for our communities.”

The move comes as members of the panel raised concern that the selection of the chief constable would coincide with the election of the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire.

Cllr Lindsay Burr, who represents Malton, said it would be an incorrect decision for the public to appoint a chief constable when the force’s strategic direction had not been set by the incoming mayor.

Huby councillor and former police officer Malcolm Taylor said while moving ahead with recruiting a chief constable might be a good decision in the short-term, the appointment was a long-term role.

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe also rejected an option to appoint an interim chief constable earlier this month.

The Stray Ferret reported that the commissioner was also given alternatives, including appointing the deputy chief constable to role until after mayoral election, but turned down both options in favour of starting a recruitment process.

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