Search begins for new Chief Constable of West Midlands Police
Applications invited for top policing role
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has begun recruitment for a new Chief Constable for West Midlands Police, one of the top positions in the country.
The search follows the retirement of Craig Guildford, with Acting Chief Constable Scott Green currently filling the position on an interim basis
The PCC's initiated the recruitment process by inviting interest from eligible police officers nationwide who hold the rank of Assistant Chief Constable or above.
"Chief Constable of West Midlands Police is one of the top jobs in British policing and I am keen to attract a wide field of top quality candidates," Foster said.
The successful candidate will be tasked with delivering the Police and Crime Plan and continuing to rebuild community policing.
Recruitment Process
The process promises to be rigorous, featuring several rounds of interviews with stakeholders before culminating in a final Appointment Panel, led by Foster himself.
Foster described appointing a Chief Constable as one of the most crucial decisions of his tenure, expecting the chosen individual to effectively tackle crime and ensure safety throughout the region.
Applications opened today and must be submitted by 5pm on 24th July.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in September, marking the next phase in determining who will oversee a force serving over three million people.
Scandal
The new Chief Constable will take over from Craig Guildford, who stood down after being criticised over the decision to ban Israeli football fans from attending Macabi Tel Aviv's fixture at Villa Park in November last year.
The announcement that he was retiring didn't contain any apology for the controversial and much criticised decision, he blamed a "political and media frenzy" and said, "I have carefully considered my position and concluded that retirement is in the best interests of the organisation, myself and my family.
"t has been the honour of my career serving as the chief constable of West Midlands Police."