THE HEAD of policing in Warwickshire has backed the force’s new chief constable despite him being investigated for potential gross misconduct.
The county Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Ball, made the comments as Martin Jelley, former Northamptonshire Police deputy chief constable, took up the top post with Warwickshire Police on Wednesday April 1.
Mr Jelley was announced as Andy Parker’s successor late last year but it has since emerged the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are investigating him regarding a delay in referring the conduct case of another senior Northamptonshire officer.
Mr Ball this week said no assumptions should be made regarding the case and confirmed Mr Jelley would still take up his new post.
He said: “I am aware of an investigation being run by the IPCC which involves Warwickshire Police’s Chief Constable designate Martin Jelley.
“Given that this investigation is currently ongoing, I am very restricted in terms of what I can say. However, I am quite clear that no one should make any assumptions about its outcome.
“Mr Jelley will join Warwickshire Police as Chief Constable in April 2015 as planned.”
Mr Parker retired after three years as chief constable and ten years serving with Warwickshire Police.
He said he felt it was ‘the right time to go’ and that he had ‘enjoyed every minute’ of working with the force.
Mr Parker, who previously spent 22 years working for the police in North Yorkshire, had planned to retire after 30 years of policing but delayed it so he could work with the Police and Crime Commissioner when the elected role came into being in 2012.
