Suspended police chief to face misconduct hearing

Rod Hansen was suspended from his role at Gloucestershire Constabulary in October 2024

The chief constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary - who is currently suspended - will face misconduct proceedings over allegations he failed to respond appropriately to a data breach.

It is alleged Rod Hansen did not take sufficient action after receiving information about a staff member suspected of carrying out an unauthorised search of police systems.

The officer involved was suspected of accessing third-party personal data in relation to a road traffic collision in September 2022.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now concluded Mr Hansen should face a misconduct hearing. The police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire confirmed the hearing would be organised.

The IOPC has also concluded the force's chief of staff Gary Thompson - who was suspended in October last year in relation to the same incident - should also face a misconduct hearing.

The police watchdog said the gross misconduct allegations against Mr Hansen related to potential breaches of police standards concerning reporting improper conduct and discreditable conduct.

It said the allegations also related to breaches of duties and responsibilities, honesty and integrity and of orders and instructions.

"We believe a police disciplinary panel could conclude Mr Hansen didn't handle the matter in accordance with the force's own policy and data protection laws," the IOPC added.

Mr Hansen was suspended from his role at Gloucestershire Constabulary in October last year. He was redeployed to the Police Chiefs' Council before being suspended from that job too.

Following Mr Hansen's suspension, Maggie Blyth was appointed interim Chief Constable and is now temporary Chief Constable.

Chris Nelson, police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire, said: "In line with the direction by the IOPC, my office will arrange for a police disciplinary hearing to take place.

"This will enable the allegations Chief Constable Rod Hansen faces to be formally considered.

"It will be up to that hearing to determine whether gross misconduct allegations are proven."

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed it would arrange a disciplinary hearing for Mr Thompson.