Lincolnshire PCC criticised over chief constable recruitment

Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner has been criticised over the recruitment of a chief constable.

Marc Jones "did not always adhere to the guiding principles of fairness, openness and merit at all times during the process", a police watchdog said.

The report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said his actions "did not meet the threshold to be considered wilful misconduct".

Mr Jones said he was "satisfied" adding "I have been cleared of wrongdoing".

The IOPC investigation was launched after Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Panel (PCP) raised issues over the recruitment of a new chief constable in 2020.

Mr Jones put forward a preferred candidate, but later withdrew his nomination.

The PCP, which supervises the commissioner and vets senior appointments to the force, alleged Mr Jones had sought to manipulate the process.

The IOPC had previously said that the allegations did not relate to the recruitment of the current chief constable Chris Haward, who took over in December 2020.

In its report, the IOPC said: "Having carefully reviewed the evidence, the decision maker [investigator] concluded that Mr Jones did not always adhere to the guiding principles of fairness, openness and merit at all times during the process, and moreover, at times, his decisions were directly in conflict with these principles.

"However, the decision maker formed the opinion that Mr Jones' actions and decisions did not meet the threshold to be considered wilful misconduct.

"The decision maker formed the opinion that Mr Jones' failure to comply in totality with these principles in this instance could not reasonably be considered so grave as to amount to potential criminality."

Mr Jones said he had "acted in the best interests of the people of Lincolnshire"

In response to the report's findings, Mr Jones said he had "co-operated fully" with the inquiry.

"I am not surprised, but am satisfied, I have been cleared of wrongdoing by the investigation," he said.

"I was always confident I acted in the best interests of the people of Lincolnshire."

However, he criticised the report saying it contained "subjective interpretations, misunderstanding and bizarre omissions".

He added: "Having now experienced first hand the IOPC process, I am clear in my mind that they are not suitable to handle matters, often political, relating to publicly elected and accountable police and crime commissioners."