PCC confirms preferred candidate for Lincolnshire Police chief constable

Mr Gibson, 50, is deputy chief constable of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) and has more than two decades of experience working in Lincolnshire.

Mr Jones said the decision was made “after an exhaustive recruitment process” which concluded this week.

The PCC said the process to find the right candidate had been thorough and he was confident it had identified an excellent candidate for the job.

“I am delighted to be able to announce Paul as my preferred candidate,” said Mr Jones. “I have no doubt he will make an outstanding chief constable. His passion for the county, its communities and the force which serves them shone through in the whole process.

“I have absolutely no doubt that Paul has a passion and determination to serve Lincolnshire running through his veins.”

Mr Gibson began his career as a police constable in Lincolnshire in 1998 and spent 19 years in the force before leaving to take on the role of assistant chief constable at Derbyshire Constabulary.

During his time in the county, he worked in most roles and spent six months seconded to the National Transforming Forensics Programme.

He started his career as a bobby on the beat in Grantham before joining CID as a detective in 2000. He climbed the ranks and was appointed as the force’s temporary assistant chief constable before departing in 2018 to gain further experience working in the larger force of Derbyshire.

Mr Gibson took on the role as deputy chief constable of the EMSOU in January 2021 and served two very successful months supporting Northamptonshire Police as temporary chief constable last year.

Mr Gibson, who has born in the county, is married with two daughters. Before joining the force, he studied genetics at university and gained a doctorate in molecular medicine.

The appointments panel was chaired by Chief Constable Andy Marsh QPM, chief executive officer of the College of Policing.

The recommendation, supported unanimously by the selection panel, will now go to the Police and Crime Panel for consideration.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be selected as the preferred candidate, and subject to confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel, I very much looking forward to coming home to take on the job of keeping this wonderful county safe,” Mr Gibson said.

“After almost two decades serving in Lincolnshire, I know the county and its people very well and have always harboured an ambition to one day lead the force. I am determined to see Lincolnshire Police build upon its community values and continue to deliver an improved quality of service to the public.

“Lincolnshire Police, supported by the PCC, has gained a strong reputation for innovation and is rightly regarded as the cutting edge of modern policing”.

“I will be proud to continue that tradition and to work hard for the people of Lincolnshire to serve our communities.”

Current chief constable Mr Haward will be leaving the force next month to join the National Police Chiefs’ Council as the UK coordinator tackling serious and organised crime.