The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (WYP) has been suspended today following allegations of “criminal activity” in Northern Ireland.

Chief Constable Mark Gilmore has also become the subject of an investigation from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), for whom he has previously served as Assistant Chief Constable.

Gilmore was suspended after information from PSNI’s investigation was shared with West Yorkshire Police.

Mark Burns-Williamson, Police and Crime Commissioner for the county, said: “I would like to stress that the suspension of the Chief Constable is a necessity in the public interest until the full facts have been established”. He added that the matter had also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr. Burns-Williamson added: “I sincerely hope that the PSNI investigation is concluded quickly in a way that could allow me to lift the suspension and Mr. Gilmore to return to his post and continue the vital work to ensure communities are safer and feel safer”. He also said that Gilmore’s suspension will be kept under review as PSNI’s investigation proceeds.

WYP’s Deputy Chief Constable, Dee Collins has become acting Chief Constable in Gilmore’s absence.

Collins said in a statement: “People should feel reassured that day-to-day service is unaffected and their Neighbourhood Policing Teams will continue to provide the local service they value”.

Mr. Gilmore joined the PSNI in the 1980s and has also previously been Deputy Chief Constable for Northumbria Police. He served as Assistant Chief Constable in West Yorkshire for two years before replacing the previous Chief Constable in October last year.

West Yorkshire Police has long had close ties to the University of Leeds, including having a full-time Police Liaison Officer employed on campus and running several schemes aimed at improving student safety.

Sean Hayes 

Photo: Wakefield Express