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Police chief suspended over allegations of inappropriate behaviour Police chief suspended over allegations of inappropriate behaviour
(about 14 hours later)
A police chief has been suspended and placed under investigation over "serious" allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff and officers in his force. A police chief has been suspended and placed under investigation over "serious" allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards staff and officers in his force.
Nick Gargan, chief constable of Avon and Somerset police, is restricted from entering his police headquarters after he was suspended by the force's police and crime commissioner, Sue Mountstevens.Nick Gargan, chief constable of Avon and Somerset police, is restricted from entering his police headquarters after he was suspended by the force's police and crime commissioner, Sue Mountstevens.
At least two female whistleblowers have complained about Gargan's conduct, a spokesperson for the commissioner said. At least two whistleblowers have complained about Gargan's conduct, a spokesperson for the commissioner said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to look into the claims and will examine whether Gargan's conduct amounts to an abuse of power. The women were either officers or staff at the West Country force. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to look into the claims and will examine whether Gargan's conduct amounts to an abuse of power. The whistleblowers ere either officers or staff at the West Country force.
Gargan is seen as one of the more able chief constables and was the national lead for policing on finance issues, crucial at a time of budget cuts.Gargan is seen as one of the more able chief constables and was the national lead for policing on finance issues, crucial at a time of budget cuts.
He was appointed to lead Avon and Somerset, one of Britain's largest forces, in March last year and was chosen by Mountstevens.He was appointed to lead Avon and Somerset, one of Britain's largest forces, in March last year and was chosen by Mountstevens.
Gargan has denied the allegations, and the decision to suspend him and place him under investigation does not imply any guilt.Gargan has denied the allegations, and the decision to suspend him and place him under investigation does not imply any guilt.
But it is another difficult episode for policing, with one of its most senior figures now fighting for his reputation.But it is another difficult episode for policing, with one of its most senior figures now fighting for his reputation.
Gargan was summoned by Mountstevens to attend a meeting at 2pm on Tuesday, where he was told of the allegations and the decision to suspend him.Gargan was summoned by Mountstevens to attend a meeting at 2pm on Tuesday, where he was told of the allegations and the decision to suspend him.
Mountstevens referred the allegations concerning the women to the IPCC, the official body charged with investigating the police, last Friday. The IPCC launched an investigation and, according to Mountstevens, advised her to suspend Gargan "to protect the integrity of the investigation". Mountstevens referred the allegations to the IPCC, the official body charged with investigating the police, last Friday. The IPCC launched an investigation and, according to Mountstevens, advised her to suspend Gargan "to protect the integrity of the investigation".
On Tuesdaymorning, unaware of what was to come, Gargan was tweeting jokes from his Twitter account and saying he was not as busy as usual.On Tuesdaymorning, unaware of what was to come, Gargan was tweeting jokes from his Twitter account and saying he was not as busy as usual.
He wrote: "Stand by for a Tommy Cooper classic to celebrate a day with a rare few gaps on the diary …"He wrote: "Stand by for a Tommy Cooper classic to celebrate a day with a rare few gaps on the diary …"
Two minutes later he tweeted: "Police arrested 2 kids yesterday: one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one & let the other off."Two minutes later he tweeted: "Police arrested 2 kids yesterday: one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one & let the other off."
Mountstevens told the BBC that Gargan was devastated by the claims, which he denied. She added: "By Friday it was clear these were serious allegations so I referred it to the IPCC immediately.Mountstevens told the BBC that Gargan was devastated by the claims, which he denied. She added: "By Friday it was clear these were serious allegations so I referred it to the IPCC immediately.
"I looked long and hard for other alternatives but with advice from the IPCC they advised me that suspension was in the best interest for the chief and the organisation. It's important that he is treated no better or worse while he is under investigation.""I looked long and hard for other alternatives but with advice from the IPCC they advised me that suspension was in the best interest for the chief and the organisation. It's important that he is treated no better or worse while he is under investigation."
Gargan took over in March 2013 from Colin Port, who left after being told by Mountstevens, then newly elected as crime commissioner, that he would have to reapply for his job.Gargan took over in March 2013 from Colin Port, who left after being told by Mountstevens, then newly elected as crime commissioner, that he would have to reapply for his job.
One of Gargan's first tasks was to oversee policing of the badger cull in Somerset. He has also found his force in the national spotlight for the wrong reasons over the case of Iraqi refugee Bijan Ebrahimi, who was murdered by vigilantes after reporting his concerns to the police. His force also helped out with the floods in Somersest earlier this year.One of Gargan's first tasks was to oversee policing of the badger cull in Somerset. He has also found his force in the national spotlight for the wrong reasons over the case of Iraqi refugee Bijan Ebrahimi, who was murdered by vigilantes after reporting his concerns to the police. His force also helped out with the floods in Somersest earlier this year.
He is a fitness fanatic and a supporter of Leicester City football club.He is a fitness fanatic and a supporter of Leicester City football club.
Mountstevens is a former director of a Bristol family bakery chain and was a surprise winner when she stood as police commissioner as an independent and beat the Conservative favourite.Mountstevens is a former director of a Bristol family bakery chain and was a surprise winner when she stood as police commissioner as an independent and beat the Conservative favourite.
One of her priorities has been to tackle violence against and sexual abuse of women.One of her priorities has been to tackle violence against and sexual abuse of women.
• This article was amended on 14 May 2014. The original stated that the complaints had come from two women when in fact the complainants were of both genders.