Humberside chief constable announces retirement amid allegations of potential misconduct

It comes after the Humberside Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) received details of potential misconduct relating to the chief constable.

Police and crime commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “Following further inquiries and due consideration it became apparent that the OPCC was obliged to refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and this was done on Monday June 24.

“Confirmation was received by the OPCC late on Tuesday (June 25) that the IOPC had begun an independent investigation.

Mr Evison said the IOPC investigation “will continue notwithstanding Paul Anderson’s retirement.”

He added that as this is now a live investigation he “will make no further comment”.

Mr Evison said he is now in discussions to secure interim leadership whilst the recruitment process starts for a new chief constable.

Mr Anderson first joined Humberside Police as an assistant chief constable in 2019. He became deputy chief constable before taking the role of chief constable in 2023.

Regarding his retirement, Mr Anderson said: “It has been a privilege to serve the communities of Hull, the East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire.

“Humberside is an outstanding force made up of both officers and staff who are dedicated to making a difference to the communities they represent.

“It has been a difficult decision to make to retire from the force but it is the right time for me personally to make this announcement.

“It has and will always be my absolute honour to have served the public”.

In an earlier statement, Mr Evison had praised Mr Anderson’s “valuable contribution to the performance of Humberside Police since he joined the force”.

“Chief Constable Anderson deserves much credit for that and I thank him for his service to the public. I will now begin the process to appoint a new chief constable,” he said.