West Mercia PCC: Chief constable appointment follows `robust` process

West Mercia’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) has named his preferred candidate to take over from David Shaw as chief constable.

On Wednesday (July 20) PCC John Campion confirmed that Anthony Bangham has been put forward as the next chief constable of West Mercia Police.

David Shaw is due to retire at the end of this month after five years in the role.

Mr Bangham becomes the 39th chief constable to be appointed since PCCs were first elected in 2012 and the 26th internal candidate to be successful.

Mr Campion claimed the appointment was made after an open, transparent and competitive recruitment process.

Two candidates underwent a “robust selection process” including an interview panel consisting of the PCC, local government, police colleagues and other partners.

The nomination follows intense pressures on PCCs to justify the measures taken to secure a strong field of candidates for chief constable posts.

In March, MPs warned of a “deeply concerning” lack of competition for the most senior positions in policing, saying the pool of talent is “in danger of drying up”.

The Home Affairs Select Committee said advertising jobs externally would also help allay accusations of “parochialism and cronyism”.

It also expressed its concern that PCCs are ignoring Police Regulations and appointing chief constables who have not served as a chief officer at another force.

Mr Bangham has been West Mercia Police’s deputy chief constable since 2014 and, unlike most other internal appointments made since 2012, has served as a chief officer elsewhere; he was assistant chief constable with Avon and Somerset Constabulary between 2010 and 2014.

He first joined West Mercia Police in 1991 and held every rank up to acting assistant chief constable before attending the strategic command course.

He has also supported national developments, including the police use of firearms and coordinating the roll-out of Taser in the UK.

And now he is putting his agricultural degree and interest in rural issues to good use having been appointed as the national policing lead for animal diseases, part of the national civil contingencies portfolio.

He has also recently taken on responsibility for police pursuits across England and Wales.

Mr Campion said: “The force is undergoing a major and necessary programme of modernisation that will benefit our communities as well as its officers and staff. It needs an exceptional chief constable to lead that transformation; inspiring the force, setting the right strategic path, delivering major projects and accelerating the pace of positive change.

“Anthony is aware of the expectations that come with the role. He is committed to delivering the results West Mercia requires and I am pleased to be able to nominate him for this new challenge”.

The police and crime panel will hold a confirmation hearing on August 9.