West Mercia police in ‘chaos’ after failure to find new chief constable

West Mercia police have yet to find a permanent replacement after Pippa Mills announced her departure last year. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

A police force has been thrown into “chaos” after its lengthy search for a new chief constable ended in failure.

The Metropolitan police commander Kyle Gordon was chosen to be the new head of the West Mercia force after a recruitment process led by John Campion, the Conservative police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the region.

But the force has now said its incoming chief will not be taking up the job despite his appointment being announced seven months ago, and with him yet to work a day in the role.

The PCC’s office has refused to say why, other than to confirm that a “pre-employment process” took place before any new chief could start. Two senior policing sources say the issue relates to “vetting”.

In a statement Campion said: “Following a change in circumstances which could not have been foreseen at the time, it has been agreed that Mr Gordon will not be taking up the role. I will continue to ensure West Mercia police is focused on tackling crime and keeping our communities safe.”

The Liberal Democrats criticised the “chaos” and called for the abolition of PCCs, which were introduced under the Conservatives.

The saga of the force’s lack of permanent leadership began last year when, in August it was announced that the then chief constable, Pippa Mills, would leave to join the Met.

Her deputy, Alex Murray, was appointed as temporary chief constable and applied for the job on a permanent basis, but in December 2023 Gordon was chosen instead for the role, which pays more than £169,000 a year. Murray decided to leave, and was scheduled to join the National Crime Agency later this month.

Gordon was a police officer in Northern Ireland and with the British Transport Police, before joining the Met.

In early May senior sources within policing said the problems were sufficiently serious to mean Gordon would not be taking up the role. On Friday, it was confirmed that he would not be.

In early May the PCC’s office was asked if it was correct that Gordon was no longer coming to West Mercia police as chief constable. A source authorised to speak for the PCC said that was incorrect, saying “the information you have been given is not factual”. The source added that it was incorrect that, so certain was the collapse of Gordon’s candidacy, a temporary interim chief was being sought. A spokesperson said: “There is no start date confirmed for Kyle Gordon as yet. The pre-employment process is still ongoing.”

On Monday a spokesperson maintained the previous statements were “truthful and accurate”.

The Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael, said: “The Liberal Democrats would abolish police and crime commissioners and invest the savings in frontline policing instead, giving officers the resources they need to bring criminals to justice. The chaos in West Mercia is just more evidence of why this should happen.”

The Metropolitan police on Monday said Gordon was still employed by them. It declined to make any further comment, referring enquiries instead to the West Mercia force, which covers Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

In December, Campion said: “After undergoing a thorough recruitment process, I am delighted to have chosen Kyle Gordon to be my preferred candidate for the new chief constable of West Mercia police …

“As Commissioner I am committed to backing West Mercia police with the support and resources it needs … That includes ensuring the force has exceptional leadership. I am confident that Kyle will bring a commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of service in our police force, and a real energy.”

Campion was re-elected for a third term as PCC in May. The role carries a salary of £78,404 and his office employs 67 staff, according to its website.