Agenda and minutes

The Chair of the Humberside Police and Crime Panel welcomed everyone to the Confirmation Hearing and invited all in attendance to introduce themselves and identify the local authority/organisation they were representing.

Resolved - That it be noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors A Talbot (East Riding of Yorkshire Council) and Mrs Chase (Independent Person).

There were no substitutes attending the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

The Secretary to the Panel reported that, in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Panel was required to hold a Confirmation Hearing following receipt of formal notification by the Police and Crime Commissioner of his wish to appoint his preferred candidate, Mr Paul Anderson, to the post of Chief Constable for Humberside.  The Panel received notification from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner of the proposed appointment to the role of Chief Constable on 28 June 2023. 

The Panel were provided with a report by the Commissioner in advance of their meeting.  The report set out the Commissioner’s proposed job description and person specification for the Chief Constable and explained the recruitment process.  The Panel was satisfied that this report provided them with the information set out in Schedule 1(9) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.  The Commissioner’s report also provided the Panel with detailed information about the advertisement, shortlisting and selection process.

The Commissioner also provided the Panel with a copy of the report by the independent member who had observed and advised on the process in line with the requirements of Home Office Circular 20/2012. 

The Secretary explained that guidance on the role of the Panel recommended that through questioning of the candidate they consider his ‘professional competence’ and ‘personal independence’.  To assist, the Panel had been provided with documentary evidence of the process followed by the Commissioner when recruiting to the post and selecting his preferred candidate.

The Secretary detailed the four options available to the Panel when making its decision namely to recommend that the appointment proceed, that it proceed with recommended action, that the appointment not be made or, finally, that the proposed appointment be vetoed.  The Secretary explained the specific requirements on the Panel, and extremely limited circumstances associated with the last option.

The Chairman invited the Police and Crime Commissioner to outline the appointment process followed for the position of Chief Constable.

The Commissioner reported on the detailed and lengthy process followed by him to recruit a new Chief Constable for Humberside.  Information provided to candidates was submitted to the Panel.  The Commissioner had been supported throughout the recruitment process by the College of Policing and his Chief Executive.

The Commissioner explained that he had undertaken a rigorous and transparent process and that his preferred candidate had fully demonstrated his ability to fulfil the role effectively.

The Panel Chair, who had been invited by the Commissioner to sit as an observer at the final selection process, advised the Panel that she felt the selection process had been fair, objective and transparent.

Presentation by and questions to Mr Anderson.

Mr Anderson briefly summarised his career in the Police Service having served in a number of Force areas, roles which required balance between resources and expectations. 

His role as a public servant was a paramount consideration in his approach to policing, which together with his background in leadership and experience at operational level  ...  view the full minutes text for item 523.

There was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated

To consider and determine the content of the Panel’s report and recommendations to the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner for the proposed appointment to the role of Chief Constable of Humberside Police.

On the basis of the information provided by the Commissioner, and the discussions held in the Confirmation Hearing and the closed session, the Panel agreed that:

Ø  Mr Anderson had provided excellent responses to all of the Panel’s questions in a strategic and detailed manner.

Ø  It was considered that Mr Anderson had the required leadership and man-management qualities to engage, motivate and encourage all Humberside Police Officers and staff to support his ideas and vision for the force in the future.

Ø  Mr Anderson had a detailed knowledge of the area and he was committed to engaging with the Police and Crime Panel and all local councils to work collectively to make Humberside a safer place to live and work.

Ø  The answers provided by Mr Anderson gave the impression of a passion and commitment for nurturing talent and leadership within Humberside Police.

Ø  Mr Anderson had a clear recognition of the requirements of modern policing and empathy towards the needs and demands of local communities and all his staff.

Ø  Mr Anderson had excellent knowledge and experience of handling major critical incidents, working strategically and in partnership with other agencies.

The Panel also noted that the report provided by the Independent Member on the recruitment panel confirmed that the recruitment and selection process had complied with the principles of merit, fairness and openness and that the PCC had followed the College of Policing guidance on the recruitment and selection of Chief Officers and acted in accordance with the spirit of this guidance.

Resolved – (a) That the appointment of Mr Paul Anderson to the post of Chief Constable of Humberside Police on the terms and conditions set out in the report submitted to the Panel be confirmed, and (b) that the Panel support the recommendation made by the Independent Person, requesting that ‘careful consideration be given to the appointment of Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable in terms of competencies, to support a balanced leadership team’.