PFCC rejects Crime Panel's request to reconsider Chief Constable recruitment

On the 12 October 2023, the North Yorkshire Crime Panel met, and debated if the Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe should recruit the next Chief Constable for North Yorkshire.

The Chief Constable would be in-post for one month, under the current Crime Commissioner, before the Mayor takes over that role at the beginning of May 2024.

The panel took a vote on the motion: Recommendation that the PFCC should pause the recruitment process.

9 voted for and 4 voted against

The vote means that the PFCC required a formal response to the panel.

Within 24hours, the PFCC rejected the panel’s advice.

Keith Tordoff MBE said:

“The statement issued by Zoe Metcalfe the Conservative Police Fire Crime Commissioner ( PFCC ) of North Yorkshire shows a total contempt for the Police and Crime panel of North Yorkshire Council and by default the public of North Yorkshire following yesterday's meeting.

A pause in the process as overwhelmingly voted for by the panel less than twenty four hours before has resulted in the Commissioner stating ' the panel offered no compelling counterbalancing rationale that would cause me to revisit my decision '

' I stand by my decision '.

The Commissioner has displayed an arrogance in dismissing the relevance of the majority vote so quickly.

The Commissioner it would appear didn't even pause for breath before rejecting out of hand the legitimate concerns of the Police and Crime panel members.

The elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire next year takes on the responsibilities of the Police and Fire Commissioner. As an Independent candidate for the Mayor if elected by the public of York and North Yorkshire I would be reviewing the process and selection of the next Chief Constable adopted by the outgoing PFCC Zoe Metcalfe.”

Zoe Metcalfe said:

“As the single elected individual with responsibility for the totality of policing and crime for York and North Yorkshire, I have a duty to ensure that the Force has outstanding, inspirational long-term leadership to keep our

communities safe and feeling safe.

I was surprised that some Panel Members saw fit to substitute their preference, not just for my decision, but for the considered professional views of all national stakeholders with a remit for excellence in police leadership.

It gives me no pleasure to say that the recommendations of those key national stakeholders outweigh the Panel’s recommendation.

I stand by my decision.

This is a crucial time for the programme of improvements for North Yorkshire Police. Delay in establishing clear leadership would be wrong.

The recruitment is getting underway and will proceed on schedule.

The role of Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police is a terrific opportunity for an inspirational, visionary chief police officer. The process for selection will be open, rigorous, exciting and challenging - and will involve a broad range of local and national key partner organisations so that York and North Yorkshire can be sure that we have the very best of police leadership for our communities.”