West Yorkshire Police chief suspended after Police Service of Northern Ireland launched investigation

Mark Gilmore, pictured at the force's headquarters in Wakefield on his first day in charge April 2 2013.

He was suspended this morning by the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.

The Crime Commissioner said: “This morning I suspended the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Mark Gilmore.

“The reason for this suspension is as a result of information I have received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arising from an investigation announced by them earlier this week.

“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.

“I have also referred this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

“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.

“I will be keeping the suspension under review as the PSNI investigation proceeds and in the meantime I have asked Deputy Chief Constable, Dee Collins, to act up as Chief Constable for West Yorkshire.

“It would be inappropriate for me to make any further comments at this time.”

Mr Gilmore has been in his role for just more than a year.

He was born in 1964 and spent his formative years in the Belfast area. Originally from the Shankill Road, he was educated at the Boys’ Model School in North Belfast.

He spent a short period of time working in the Health Service before joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1983, which later became the Police Service of Northern Ireland and went on to become Assistant Chief Constable at the force according to details on the West Yorkshire police website.

He has also previously been Deputy Chief Constable for Northumbria Police and served as Assistant Chief Constable in West Yorkshire for two years.

He replaced Sir Norman Bettison, as the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police who resigned in October last year, amid mounting pressure following the inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium disaster.