New chief constable named

Paul Gibson has been appointed as the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire Police, following a confirmation meeting of the county’s Police and Crime Panel.

Mr Gibson, 50, expressed his delight with the news of his appointment. He’s taking over from Chris Haward who, following a three-year tenure that concludes in February, is moving on to a new role with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Turner.

This was his second time in the lineup for the role. Mr Gibson was previously chosen by Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones as the preferred candidate to replace Bill Skelly back in September 2020.

However, this was blocked during the bureaucratic process due to “issues relating to the probable disclosure of candidates’ information to the Lincolnshire Police & Crime Panel,” which was meant to approve the new chief. Instead, Chris Haward was appointed in the role, who is now retiring from the police force.

This episode was later investigated by the Independent Office for Police Misconduct (IOPC) and PCC Jones said he was “cleared of wrongdoing.”

Initially pursuing a PhD in medicine, Mr Gibson shifted to policing as a Constable in Lincolnshire, starting in Grantham in 1998. After 19 years with the force, he left to become Assistant Chief Constable at Derbyshire Police.

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

He later served as the interim Chief Constable for Northamptonshire Police, filling in for Nick Adderley until March of last year.

“I am delighted my appointment is now confirmed and would like to thank the Police and Crime Panel for their endorsement. I am really looking forward to working with PCC Marc Jones to continue the important work of keeping this wonderful county safe,” Mr Gibson said.

“To come back to the county where I was born, and to lead the force where I have invested so much of my professional life in policing, fills me with a great sense of pride”.

At the Police and Crime Panel meeting in Horncastle on Wednesday, Mr Gibson responded to questions from county and district councillors from across Lincolnshire, stating his belief that his heritage, experience, skills, and personal values qualify him for the role.

“I was born in this county, I have spent time living in this county and it genuinely feels like home,” he said. “I’ve always had an aspiration to lead Lincolnshire Police.”

During the proceedings, he highlighted a “look, listen, and learn” approach should he take on the role, noting: “Although I have experience here, I don’t pretend to know everything.”

He also stressed the significance of engaging with the public through “multiple channels, multiple times,” and upholding a healthy relationship with the Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC).

“I think it’s important for us to have a professional relationship, but one that is based upon accountability and wanting to deliver the best service to the public,” he added.

Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones (Conservative) accompanied Gibson in the meeting, and insisted he was “absolutely convinced” that he had chosen the right candidate following both the stakeholder panel and interview process.

Reflecting on his departure, former Chief Constable Chris Haward expressed “very mixed emotions” about leaving, attributing his decision to family circumstances and an exciting new opportunity away from the local force’s leadership position.

“It’s not what I wanted to do at this stage,” he admitted. “But family circumstances kind of played a part in this, and then the opportunity at the same time.”