Outgoing deputy PCC refuses to apologise for serious misconduct
A deputy police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been found guilty of serious misconduct and will be replaced by two assistant commissioners.
A deputy police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been found guilty of serious misconduct and will be replaced by two assistant commissioners.
West Midlands PCC David Jamieson suspended Yvonne Mosquito in March after she visited the family of murder victim Kenichi Phillips, allegedly in order to pray with them.
Ms Mosquito did not inform the force of the visit, and claimed it was conducted in an official capacity.
After an investigation found she had a case to answer, a disciplinary hearing held today (May 11) has found Ms Mosquitos actions amounted to serious misconduct.
Mr Jamieson said: The panel found that, based on the evidence submitted by both Kenichi Phillips family and the force, the visit caused ongoing upset and distress to the family and, at the time, damaged the relationship between the family and West Midlands Police in the middle of a complex and sensitive murder investigation.
“The family confirmed that they were made to feel that the deputy commissioner was in their home in an official capacity as she left her Office of the PCC business card with them, and sought to raise a range of issues that were not pastoral or spiritual.
“The family also confirmed that, despite being requested by the deputy commissioner to do so, they did not pray with her.
On the basis of the panels findings, I have issued the deputy commissioner with a final written warning and asked her to apologise, in writing, to both the force and the family. She has so far not done so.
I am sorry that a member of my staff made the already complex job of the officers investigating this awful crime even more difficult.
However, the Office of the PCC has been criticised for holding the hearing without Ms Mosquito being present.
Staff union Unite explained that Ms Mosquito had asked for alternative dates as the Unite regional officer representing her was unable to attend this week.
Under section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999, Ms Mosquito had the right to have the union representative of her choice accompany her to the disciplinary meeting.
Ms Mosquito has not yet commented, but Unite regional officer Brian Rickers confirmed that she will appeal the hearings decision.
He added: We are also appalled that the outcome of a confidential process has been made public.
Ms Mosquitos contract with the Office of the PCC has now ended.
Because she was found guilty and did not apologise for her actions, two new assistant PCCs will be hired to replace her.
A spokesperson for the PCCs office told Police Professional that the decision was made to hire two APCCs instead of one deputy because of the specific challenges faced by West Midlands Police.
Because the West Midlands is the biggest region in the country with a PCC, the commissioner decided two APCCs would be better able to respond to demand, he explained.
Ms Mosquitos replacements will not come at a cost to the public purse, as their combined allowances will be no more than Ms Mosquitos salary.
Six non-executive members will also be re-appointed to the Strategic Policing and Crime Board (SPCB).
Mr Jamieson hopes to have the new board in place in time for a public board meeting in June.
He added: West Midlands Police is one of the largest forces in the country with a budget of more than £540 million and thousands of staff and it needs capable, public-spirited people to hold it to account.
The two new assistants and six non-executive board members will be able to make a real difference in the West Midlands and I see this as a great opportunity to change things for the better.