Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens has accepted the resignation of Chief Constable Nick Gargan with immediate effect.
Mr Gargan will leave his position as the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset with three-month’s salary in lieu of notice as the terms of his contract state.
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “I have accepted Mr Gargan’s resignation with immediate effect. I think this is in the best interests of the Constabulary, and residents.
“It also means that the protracted and lengthy section 38 process will end immediately and no further legal expense will be incurred.
“I have agreed to pay Mr Gargan three-month’s salary in lieu of notice as the terms of his contract state. This was not a decision I took lightly and I have considered it very carefully however in order to bring the legal proceedings to a close this is the most cost effective outcome.
“It also means that I can begin the process of recruiting a new Chief Constable as soon as possible and the organisation can move on.
“Temporary Chief Constable Gareth Morgan will continue to lead the Constabulary while a recruitment process takes place.
“I would like to thank Gareth for his leadership and the valuable contribution he makes to the organisation.”
On 19th August, Sue Mountstevens initiated the process to require Mr Gargan to resign as set out in section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
This followed concerns from within the Constabulary, residents and retired police officers that Mr Gargan had lost the confidence of the organisation and those he was there to serve after being found guilty of eight counts of misconduct in July.
On 25th September, the PCC received a report from Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor, supporting her decision to initiate the process requiring the Chief Constable to resign.
In his view a Chief Constable without the confidence of his officers and staff risked the efficiency and effective running of the Constabulary.
