PCC/D/2025/04
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) provides that a Police and Crime Commissioner must appoint a person to be the chief constable of the police force for the area.
The previous substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Pippa Mills, left the post in October 2023 to take up a new role in The Metropolitan Police. Alex Murray and Richard Cooper have served as Temporary Chief Constable since 23rd October 2023.
A recruitment process has been undertaken in February 2025 to recruit a new substantive Chief Constable. At the conclusion of that recruitment exercise, Richard Cooper has been identified by the Commissioner as the preferred candidate for the post.
The proposed appointment of the Chief Constable is subject to confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel, as well as the standard pre-employment process to include references, vetting, medical and letter of appointment.
PROPOSAL
It is proposed that the Police and Crime Commissioner confirm his selection of Richard Cooper as preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.
APPROVAL OF
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
PART 1 – NON-CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT FACTS AND FIGURES
SUPPORTING REPORT
Section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) provides that a Police and Crime Commissioner must appoint a person to be the chief constable of the police force for the area.
The previous substantive Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Pippa Mills, left the post in October 2023 to take up a new role in The Metropolitan Police. Alex Murray and, most recently, Richard Cooper have served as Temporary Chief Constable since 23rd October 2023.
A recruitment process has been undertaken in February 2025 to recruit a new substantive Chief Constable. At the conclusion of that recruitment exercise, Richard Cooper has been identified by the Commissioner as the preferred candidate for the post.
The recruitment processes were managed by the PCC’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. They were overseen by an independent member who advised the Commissioner, and were subject to ongoing consultation and guidance from the College of Policing.
The role was advertised in January 2025 with an assessment centre taking place on the 26th and 27th February 2025.
Three applications were received, which is slightly above national averages for Chief Constable appointment processes.
All candidates were shortlisted to take part in an assessment centre for the role, however one candidate withdrew from the process before the assessment centre.
The assessment centre took place at West Mercia Police headquarters, Hindlip Park.
The assessment centre consisted of four elements:
- Staff Forum
Candidates were required to lead a one hour Staff Forum on the subject of “how does West Mercia Police ensure the right organisational culture and how does this benefit the public”?
Approximately 30 West Mercia Police officers and staff supported the process and provided feedback on the sessions led by each candidate. Sessions were not scored by the Forum, but feedback formed part of a summary report, taken by the PCC’s Chief Executive.
2. Stakeholder Panel
Candidates delivered a presentation ahead of an interview with a panel of senior stakeholders from local partner organisations. These included criminal justice agencies, the courts service, the NHS and local authorities.
The panel was chaired by the Deputy PCC and supported by the Commissioner’s Deputy Chief Executive, who collated feedback and scores and provided a summary report of the panel’s collective thinking around both candidates.
3. Senior Leaders’ Forum
Candidates were required to lead a one hour forum on the subject of “how does West Mercia Police ensure the right organisational culture and how does this benefit the public”?
Approximately 10 of West Mercia Police’s senior leadership (both officers and staff) supported the process and provided feedback on the sessions led by each candidate. Sessions were not scored by the Forum, but feedback formed part of the summary report, taken by the PCC’s Chief Executive
4. Appointment Panel interview
Formal interviews were conducted with candidates on 27th February.
The Panel consisted of four members:
John Campion – Police and Crime Commissioner
David Sidaway – Chief Executive, Telford & Wrekin Council
Anthony Bangham – Former Chief Constable, West Mercia Police
Adele Cope – Director of HR, Worcester University (Independent Member)
The panel was supported by the Commissioner’s Chief Executive who also observed the interviews and provided briefings to the Panel on the findings from the Staff Forum, Senior Leaders’ Forum and Stakeholder Panel.
At the conclusion of interviews the Panel scored the candidates’ interviews and provided summary feedback to the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Following consideration of all the available information and guidance, the Commissioner determined that Richard Cooper was identified by the Commissioner as the preferred candidate for the post. The proposed appointment of the Chief Constable is subject to confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel, as well as the standard pre-employment process to include references, vetting, medical and letter of appointment.
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS
This decision supports the following element(s) of the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan:
☒ Cutting Crime
☒ Policing with the Community
☒ Supporting Victims & Witnesses
☒ Maximising Resources & Value for Money
The decision supports this/ these objective(s) through the following:
- Supports delivery of all core elements of the PCC’s plan through effective leadership of West Mercia Police
- Ensures compliance with PCC statutory requirement
AUTHOR
Name: Gareth Boulton Date 27th February 2025
TREASURER COMMENTS
Salary and other costs associated with the post of Chief Constable are met from the agreed budget for West Mercia Police.
Provision has been made for the financial requirements of this appointment within the budget and as an ongoing commitment.
Date: 27th February 2025
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
OFFICER APPROVAL
Chief Executive Officer
Date 27th February 2025
