November 18, 2013 5.12 pm This story is over 129 months old

Neil Rhodes set to continue as Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable

Chief Constable continuity: PCC Alan Hardwick proposed to offer the permanent Chief Constable job to Neil Rhodes, the only applicant for the role.
Lincolnshire PCC Alan Hardwick and Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick said that Temporary Chief Constable Neil Rhodes is set to continue to serve as Chief Constable for the next four years.

Neil Rhodes has been the only applicant for the £131,000 per year job earlier in October. He has been in the role since March 2012, when Richard Crompton retired.

Following the selection process, PCC Alan Hardwick said on Monday that he will propose to the Police and Crime Panel that Neil Rhodes is formally appointed as Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police ahead of schedule.

Alan Hardwick said: “The selection panel members were unanimous in the view that Mr Rhodes has the required skills to lead Lincolnshire Police over the coming years and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

The Police and Crime Panel will review PCC Hardwick’s proposal and hold a public confirmation hearing on December 6, before making a recommendation on the appointment of Mr Rhodes.

PCC and Chief Constable history

In August, an investigation by Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, has cleared Chief Constable Neil Rhodes of allegations of misconduct by Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick.

In February 2013, PCC Hardwick suspended Chief Constable Rhodes following allegations of misconduct, but in April a judge in Manchester quashed the suspension, branding it “irrational” and “perverse” and not taking into account Mr Rhodes’ 27 years of unblemished reputation.

Following the ruling, PCC Hardwick asked Sir Peter Fahy to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. The report was published on August 15.

The report concluded that no proof has been found to substantiate the allegation and Sir Peter recommended the misconduct allegation against Chief Constable Rhodes be formally withdrawn.

PCC Hardwick and Chief Constable Rhodes insisted at the time they have put the episode behind and that their professional relationship was unaffected by the incident.