Chief Constable 'Should Apologise'
The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police should apologise to staff for the way they were treated.
That's according to an investigation into her conduct ordered by police and crime commissioner Vera Baird.
It found Sue Sim hadn't breached police standards, but criticises her management style and recommends she apologises, to two officers in particular.
She recently announced she was retiring from the force after 30 years of service.
An independent investigation by Recorder Joel Bennathan QC has found that she has no case to answer on breaching Police Standards but levels criticism at her management style and recommends that she should apologise, in particular to two officers.
Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: "I have written to Mrs Sim, who remains a serving officer although she has recently announced her retirement, and directed her to apologise to two officers named in Mr Bennathan’s report before she leaves the force."
It had been alleged that the Chief Constable had breached the Police Standard on Authority, Respect and Courtesy, which requires that officers act with self-control and tolerance, treating colleagues with respect and courtesy.
Mr Bennathan considered statements and heard oral evidence both from complainants and from Mrs Sim during his six week investigation and found that the behaviours complained about 'fall short of a sufficiently serious conduct, when viewed in the context in which they occurred, to amount to a case to answer in respect of either misconduct or gross misconduct.’
Speaking after the decision Mrs Sim said: "I am pleased that the independent investigation undertaken by Mr Joel Bennathan QC found that I have no case to answer in respect of Misconduct or Gross Misconduct.
“I have always accepted that there have been times when I have raised my voice. This has always been about work related issues and, as a result of the significant challenges we faced, my frustration at the speed of progress. It was never my intention to cause any upset and, if I did, then obviously I apologise wholeheartedly. I have always supported my officers fully whenever they have faced work related or personal difficulties. “Of course I am saddened that some senior members of the organisation chose to act in this manner and I have also raised my concerns with the Police and Crime Commissioner in respect of the motivations and intent of some of those involved in making complaints against me. “I have received tremendous support from the majority of my officers and staff during this difficult time and I would like to publicly thank them. I also want to thank partner agencies and members of the public who have provided messages of support throughout this process."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "This investigation has now concluded. The process has begun for the selection of a new Chief Constable for Northumbria Police. It is important now that we concentrate our efforts on delivering the best possible service we can to the communities of Northumbria."