PCC responds to police leadership criticism

Inspectors praised the performance of Humberside Police but raised "serious concerns" about the stability of the force's senior leadership

The Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner has branded a letter sent by four local MPs criticising the force's senior leadership as "politically motivated".

Jonathan Evison also hit out at the suggestion of whistleblowers within the force and reminded staff to follow "appropriate routes" when raising complaints.

On Wednesday, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) raised "serious concerns" about "instability in the senior leadership" of Humberside Police.

The Humberside Police Federation has also said it had been approached by members who were "upset and disappointed" by the situation.

In a statement, the federation claimed the executive leadership team had been "openly dismissive" of concerns raised by HMICFRS.

"We have been inundated with phone calls from our members expressing their upset and disappointment about the executive leadership team’s attitude to the report, with some members being brought to tears.

"We feel the excellent hard work being undertaken by our members across Humberside is being undermined by the inability of the executive leadership team to accept or learn from constructive criticism and feedback.

"This cannot continue."

Humberside Police is still graded "outstanding" in several areas by inspectors

A number of the region's Labour MPs have written a joint letter to Susan Whittaker, the chair of the Humberside Police and Crime Panel, which scrutinises the actions and decisions of the PCC.

The letter, sent by Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy, Hull East MP Karl Turner, Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn and Scunthorpe MP Sir Nicholas Dakin, said they had been advised of a number of allegations of "unprofessional and inappropriate culture".

The group said there is "real potential for future decline in performance" because of the issues raised about the force's the senior leadership team.

In response, Mr Evison said the MPs letter had been "politically motivated" and he would "not be drawn into party politics".

He went on to say he was "disappointed" officers within the force had raised concerns with the MPs, Humberside Police Federation and Superintendents Association.

"I would encourage all associations to inform their members of the appropriate routes to raise concerns and to have patience in the investigative process that follows," he added.

Judi Heaton, the interim chief constable of Humberside Police following the departure of Paul Anderson in June, insisted she will "deal with" any cultural issues affecting the force.

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