Questions over chief constable appointment process

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Warwickshire is facing questions over the process to recruit a new Chief Constable for the force, after the preferred candidate status was withdrawn from a named candidate.

Emma Bond MBE, who is currently the Assistant Chief Constable at Police Scotland, was named in May 2026 as the person who, subject to vetting, would replace Alex Franklin-Smith, following his retirement in April 2026.

Now, more than four months after the PCC named Bond as their preferred candidate, the PCC announced that status had been withdrawn, effectively meaning the job offer no longer exists.

In a statement, Philip Seccombe, the current Warwickshire PCC, said no further statements would be made.

However, the decision to effectively withdraw the job offer, raises questions about the leadership of the county force, as David Gardner, the current Acting Chief Constable, has already been appointed as the new head of Staffordshire Police, following a four week recruitment process.

The PCC said arrangements would be announced to 'to ensure continuity of leadership for Warwickshire Police', but gave no timetable.

Under amendments made to the Police Regulations made in 2026, vetting must take a maximum of six months.

Bond had previously been named as the preferred candidate for the £188,656 role in June 2026, while Gardner was named as the new Chief Constable of the Staffordshire force in October.

At the time of writing, no date has been set for Gardner to take up his new role and leave his position at the Warwickshire force.

However, the delay in making an appointment of Chief Constable for Warwickshire, is worrying, according to the Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, Matt Western.

He told the BBC "It is concerning that Warwickshire remains without a permanent Chief Constable over six months after the previous holder left the force.

"I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner to express such concerns and hope he will be able to provide reassurances that he will be able to conduct a complete and timely recruitment process."

The BBC has asked the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire for further comment and clarification. They confirmed they have nothing further to add to the statement previously issued.

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