PCC accuses police inspectorate of maladministration
It's after West Midlands Police were put into special measures.
The Police and Crime Commissioner of West Midlands Police has accused the policing inspectorate of maladministration.
It comes following a report suggesting the force didn't appropriately deal with the risks people like sex offenders could pose to the public.
When the ruling was first announced, Chief Constable Craig Guildford respected the decision, but ultimately disagreed with it.
Simon Foster has decided to publish his letter to HMIC, in full, following the decision to Move West Midlands Police into special measures - known as the 'Engage' process.
It's been published in order to address, what he calls, concerns over the decision-making progress.
Mr Foster says 'HMIC - and the Inspector - have failed to act in accordance with the law, have acted in a matter than constitutes maladministration and that undermines trust and confidence in HMIC.'
The reasons for this, according to the Police and Crime Commissioner, are below:
1. Deciding to resile from the agreement, reached with the local policing body;
2. Failing to act in accordance with the public law requirements of fairness;
3. Failing to be aware of and/or familiarise yourself with the relevant HMIC procedure;
4. Moving West Midlands Police to Engage, without having regard to HMICs own procedure;
5. Failing to respect the confidentiality HMIC emphasised was of the utmost importance, pending the procedure set out in the agreement.
Ending his letter, Simon Foster asks for the inspectorate to review its decision.
In response, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said:
"I am disappointed that the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has decided to publish private correspondence. Our focus is on making the communities of the West Midlands safer, and that is why I have moved West Midlands Police into enhanced monitoring."