West Midlands Police chief constable to step down
The chief constable of West Midlands Police (WMP), Chris Sims, has announced he is to step down from the role early next year.
The chief constable of West Midlands Police (WMP), Chris Sims, has announced he is to step down from the role early next year.
Mr Sims, who joined the police in 1980 with the Metropolitan Police Service, described his time with the force as a “fantastic privilege”.
“I want to reassure people that I will use the remaining time I have in WMP to make sure the transition to the next chief constable is as smooth as possible and that we dont take any break on our journey to being the best force in the country,” he said.
The announcement comes as Mr Sims outlines a programme of work designed to change the face of policing in the West Midlands by 2020.
The WMP2020 plan features a raft of projects that will embrace new technology, enable the force to respond more quickly to emerging crime trends and introduce new ways for the public to contact the force.
“I never deluded myself that with something as big and strategic as the Blueprint that I would be around to see the end point,” he added.
“But for me the next best thing is to ensure we have a clear delivery plan and confidence that the work is going to happen and will make the difference we need.”
David Jamieson, police and crime commissioner for West Midlands, said: “Chris Sims is an outstanding chief constable who has served the West Midlands with distinction and given over thirty years of devoted service as an Officer. I wish him all the best for the future.
“Today is about thanking a dedicated public servant, but is also the start of a process to select a new chief constable to carry on Chris Sims excellent work and guide the force through the next era of policing. Over the coming weeks I shall set out a timeline for how I will choose the next chief constable of WMP.”
Tributes have poured in online praising Mr Sims` efforts and work as a police officer.
Shadow Policing Minister and Erdington MP Jack Dromey described him as “an outstanding public servant”.
He said: “Chris Sims has devoted his life to protecting the security and the safety of the public in the West Midlands. He is rightly regarded to be one of Britains best police chiefs. He will be sorely missed but he is entitled to be proud of what he has achieved.”