Calls for clarity on probe into ex-police chief

Three unions have written to the police watchdog urging it to be "open and transparent" about an investigation into a former Humberside Police chief constable.

In June 2024, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began investigating allegations of gross misconduct against Paul Anderson.

A letter, signed by representatives and seen by the BBC, highlights a "perceived lack of transparency" and claims "critical questions" are not "being addressed openly".

An IOPC spokesperson said: "As with the vast majority of our investigations, we will publish an anonymised summary once all other matters have been concluded."

The letter was sent by representatives of Humberside Police Superintendents' Association, Unison and the Humberside Police Federation.

It states: "There is a perception, among those affected, that critical questions about leadership misconduct, and institutional norms are not being addressed openly."

The letter goes on to say: "We are concerned officers who uphold the highest standards may feel marginalised, or discouraged from acting as guardians of professional behaviour, if processes lack openness or fail to reinforce expectations consistently and visibly."

The signatories also asked for the current position of the investigation into Mr Anderson which has been ongoing for 18 months.

Rachel Watson, IOPC's director general, wrote back to the unions and said she recognised the interest in the investigation "given the nature of the allegations and the subject involved".

She also admitted a number of witnesses had been "left feeling the investigation had not been transparent". She said the feedback would be taken on board.

"I am sorry that we were not as clear as we could have been on this investigation," she wrote.

"We will in due course also be publishing a summary of the investigation."

The force's current chief constable, Chris Todd, said he supported the unions' "wish for transparency".

He added: "I play no part in the IOPC investigation.

"I welcome the conclusion of the IOPC's process so that further speculation can be avoided and I can concentrate on leading the force."

The BBC has been told a copy of the investigators' report and draft findings were sent to the Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in June - a year after the investigation into Mr Anderson's conduct was launched.

Under law, the OPCC had 28 days to respond and make comments but the BBC understands a request to extend that deadline was made.

Humberside's deputy police and crime commissioner, Leo Hammond, the appropriate authority for the misconduct case, said: "We are awaiting the final publication details from the IOPC in respect of the investigation into conduct matters for previous chief constable Paul Anderson.

"We will comment further once the final outcome is published by the IOPC."

Mr Anderson announced his plan to retire from his role as chief constable on 24 June 2024 and an investigation into his conduct was launched by the IOPC the following day.

It later emerged the PCC had been aware of the allegations against Mr Anderson for a week when he accepted his decision to retire.

In October 2024, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) raised "serious concerns" about "instability in the senior leadership" of Humberside Police.

Whistleblowers later described the leadership as "non-existent" and told a BBC investigation that morale was "at an all-time low".

Judi Heaton was named interim chief constable after Mr Anderson's retirement. She was replaced in March by Chief Constable Chris Todd who was given a five-year contract with an advertised annual salary of £171,519.

Sources within the force have praised the impact of Mr Todd's leadership since his arrival.

"The new chief is doing a really good job - he's resetting things, but he's got work to do," one officer said.

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