FROM: Lincolnshire Police Corporate Communications HQ Press Office The following statement is being issued by Chief Constable Neil Rhodes in relation to the publication later today of the Sir Peter Fahy report. - Like the media statement from the Police and Crime Commissioner this is embargoed until 1400 today Thursday 15th August: “I have been handed a copy of Sir Peter Fahy’s report by the Policing and Crime Commissioner. I am very grateful to Sir Peter for a thorough and comprehensive investigation and lam naturally delighted that I have been completely exonerated in relation to all aspects of the conduct allegation. I have sought over the last six months to maintain a dignified silence, safe in the knowledge that I knew that there was never any substance in the spurious allegation. I do not intend to depart from this approach, and wish simply to get on with my job of working with the Commissioner to provide effective and improving policing for our County of Lincolnshire. When the Commissioner decides to recruit a permanent Chief Constable I can confirm that it is my intention to apply for the position. The past few months have been unusually challenging. I’ve been really grateful for the incredible support of my wife, our children and my close friends. The family that is Lincolnshire Police have been really strong in their encouragement and support. If I was surprised by the support of the professional community across the county who work with the police, I was simply humbled by the many, many messages I received, and continue to receive, from ordinary members of the public who I have never met. I just can’t thank all of you enough. It inspires me to work harder for you all. Following the Judicial review decision, the Commissioner and I resolved that we must draw a line beneath this matter, for the good of Lincolnshire, and demonstrate that we could work together productively and positively. Strong Performance In the months since then, together, we have delivered really strong policing performance, well ahead of the national trend reductions in crime, balanced the financial budgets forthe next two years in very challenging circumstances — and made sure we can sustain 1100 police officers across the county. We continue to work closely and comfortably together. We now take the fight for a fair share of police funding to Westminster, where in the year ahead we will be working hard together to persuade government that this innovative, progressive force represents a benchmark for good practice and needs to be properly supported. I’m at my desk for the rest of this week, and then I’m away for a family break on the south coast. The Commissioner and have a number of ‘meet the public’ events across the county in future weeks, and a recruitment drive. We will be shortly taking a Lroadshow around the county as part of our recruitment of 40 officers to sustain our numbers. And, that is really good news! Senior Officer Changes Over recent years we have worked hard to develop a real pool of talent at senior management level. We’ve just seen Alec Wood promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in Cambridgeshire Police. That’s really good news for Alec. ACC Keith Smy, a very experienced officer, now steps into the deputy’s role alongside me and Chief Superintendent Lee Freeman, currently in charge of the western side of the county takes on the assistant chief constable role for local policing. With Heather Roach as ACC for Operations and Crime, I’m well supported and really confident in the skills and abilities of my senior team, who are firmly grounded and experienced in the needs of this county.” Note to Editors:
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:18:00 +0000
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