West Yorkshire Chief Constable confirmed

The police and crime panel, made up of elected and independent members from across West Yorkshire, had the power to either ratify or veto the Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed candidate, Mark Gilmore.

Mr Gilmore, who was the Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, will replace Sir Norman Bettison who resigned in October in the wake of the inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

At the public confirmation hearing, panel members interviewed Mr Gilmore to assess his professional competence and personal independence.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “I am delighted that the police and crime panel supported my choice of Mark Gilmore to be the next Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.

“There were four very strong candidates for the job but Mark’s experience and performance during the interview process convinced me that he was the right person to lead the force and to deliver against the priorities in my police and crime plan.”

Mr Gilmore said: “I’d like to thank the police and crime panel for confirming my appointment as Chief Constable. It is a huge privilege to be chosen to lead a large force with such a strong reputation and I am looking forward to working closely with the Commissioner and the panel.”