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10/09/2004
Underfire Humberside police chief to take early retirement
The Humberside police chief who defied the Home Secretary's demands that he resign following criticisms outlined in the Bichard report into the Soham murders has agreed to retire next year.
The Home Office announced today that David Westwood will be allowed to return to work on Monday but would be taking retirement on March 30 2005 – one year early.
The Bichard report, which was published in June, found that the constabulary's conduct prior to the Soham murders had exhibited "very serious failings" in child protection procedures. Specifically, Humberside repeatedly failed to thoroughly vet Ian Huntley after he applied for the janitor's position at Soham school.
In the wake of the damning report, the Home secretary "required" Chief Constable Westwood's suspension.
However, Mr Westwood steadfastly resisted any suggestion that he should resign, and instead pledged to oversee the implementation of the inquiry recommendations which were published in June.
The author of the damning report, Sir Michael Bichard concluded: "There were very serious failings in the senior management of Humberside Police and that the current Chief Constable Mr Westwood must take personal as well as corporate responsibility for not identifying and dealing with these earlier, once he became Chief Constable in 1999."
Mr Blunkett subsequently called on the police authority to suspend its chief constable under provisions of the Police Reform Act 2002. However, the authority backed their chief constable and asked Mr Blunkett to reconsider his decision.
The row entered the High Court which forced Mr Westwood's suspension in July.
In a statement today, the Home Office said: "Humberside Police will continue to work to the agreed work programme with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Home Office Police Standards Unit to improve the performance of the force and its intelligence processes."
A new Chief Constable will be appointed in order that he/she can take up the position on 1 April 2005.
(gmcg/mb)
The Home Office announced today that David Westwood will be allowed to return to work on Monday but would be taking retirement on March 30 2005 – one year early.
The Bichard report, which was published in June, found that the constabulary's conduct prior to the Soham murders had exhibited "very serious failings" in child protection procedures. Specifically, Humberside repeatedly failed to thoroughly vet Ian Huntley after he applied for the janitor's position at Soham school.
In the wake of the damning report, the Home secretary "required" Chief Constable Westwood's suspension.
However, Mr Westwood steadfastly resisted any suggestion that he should resign, and instead pledged to oversee the implementation of the inquiry recommendations which were published in June.
The author of the damning report, Sir Michael Bichard concluded: "There were very serious failings in the senior management of Humberside Police and that the current Chief Constable Mr Westwood must take personal as well as corporate responsibility for not identifying and dealing with these earlier, once he became Chief Constable in 1999."
Mr Blunkett subsequently called on the police authority to suspend its chief constable under provisions of the Police Reform Act 2002. However, the authority backed their chief constable and asked Mr Blunkett to reconsider his decision.
The row entered the High Court which forced Mr Westwood's suspension in July.
In a statement today, the Home Office said: "Humberside Police will continue to work to the agreed work programme with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Home Office Police Standards Unit to improve the performance of the force and its intelligence processes."
A new Chief Constable will be appointed in order that he/she can take up the position on 1 April 2005.
(gmcg/mb)
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