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| Chief Constable Nick Gargan suspended over allegations | Chief Constable Nick Gargan suspended over allegations |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A police chief has been suspended following "serious allegations" of inappropriate behaviour towards female officers. | |
| Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said a number of allegations had been made against Chief Constable Nick Gargan. | Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said a number of allegations had been made against Chief Constable Nick Gargan. |
| An Independent Complaints Commission probe has been launched and Mr Gargan will remain suspended throughout. | An Independent Complaints Commission probe has been launched and Mr Gargan will remain suspended throughout. |
| He has been chief since March 2013, and a serving police officer since 1988. | He has been chief since March 2013, and a serving police officer since 1988. |
| The complaints commission confirmed it would be investigating "a number of serious allegations that relate to inappropriate conduct towards female members of staff at the force". | |
| Mr Gargan's deputy, John Long, will serve as chief constable on a temporary basis and all officers and staff had been informed of the decision, Ms Mountstevens said. | |
| "I would like to assure the communities of Avon and Somerset that the constabulary remains a high performing force," she added. | |
| "Both police officers and staff are committed to ensuring the area remains a safe place to live, work and visit." | |
| Mr Gargan was the chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency before being appointed chief constable by Ms Mountstevens. | |
| His selection came two months after Ms Mountstevens was elected as the force's first PCC. | |
| The day after Ms Mountstevens was sworn in, former chief constable Colin Port announced he was stepping down after refusing to re-apply for his own job. | |
| He later mounted a legal challenge against the decision to open up his job for interview but his bid to halt the selection process was refused by a High Court judge. |