Ex-police chief complaint was 'sat on' for weeks

Complaints about a former Humberside Police Chief Constable were "sat on" for several weeks, allowing him to continue to behave "inappropriately", the BBC has been told.

The Police Superintendents' Association said its members raised complaints about Paul Anderson with the force on 23 May, a month before they were sent to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

Multiple sources within the force have said during the "period of delay", Mr Anderson continued to behave in a manner "not befitting of a Chief Constable".

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) said it was made aware of a complaint on 28 May but the commissioner himself was not told until 19 June.

The BBC understands at least one of the incidents being investigated by the IOPC happened after the complaint had been passed to the OPCC.

A source said: "In the time it took to report the complaints Paul Anderson was able to continue to behave inappropriately and erratically.

"It was not befitting of a Chief Constable."

Another source added: "If the complaint hadn't been sat on the damage wouldn't have been as bad and it wouldn't have continued.

"A lot of people were concerned about it."

The OPCC previously said it was first made aware of the complaints on 12 June and referred them to the IOPC on 24 June.

It has now told the BBC it knew of complaints on 28 May but it did not receive "details in writing" until 12 June.

Staff from the OPCC did not brief Jonathan Evison, the Police and Crime Commissioner until 19 June. He then took legal advice before sending a referral to the IOPC.

Melanie Onn, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: "It is now clear the PCC was not accurate in his first public response on this serious matter.

"The failure to raise initial concerns with the IOPC in a timely manner allowed further incidents to occur.

"Ultimately, all the people in the Humberside area want is a good, high-quality police force that support officers in their roles and reflects the values it preaches."

On Thursday, the BBC learned Mr Anderson was facing an IOPC investigation for potential gross misconduct over "allegations of unprofessional behaviour, discriminatory, insensitive and offensive comments".

He is also being investigated for an allegation regarding interference with the outcome of a disciplinary matter.

The BBC has been told by the OPCC that Mr Anderson offered to retire when he was first made aware of the allegations against him on 24 June.

The following day, the IOPC confirmed an investigation into his conduct was under way.

The period between 23 May and 24 June also coincided with an inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

It later raised "serious concerns" about leadership within the force.

Judi Heaton, the interim Chief Constable of Humberside Police, has insisted she would deal with "cultural issues" within the force.

23 May - Police Superintendents' Association raises complaints about the conduct of the Chief Constable with chief officers at Humberside Police.

28 May – Staff in the OPCC are first told of a complaint against the Chief Constable but it had "limited details".

12 June – Staff in the OPCC receive a written complaint from a senior police officer.

19 June – The PCC is briefed for the first time about the complaint.

24 June - Mr Anderson gives verbal notice of his decision to retire to the OPCC. The OPCC refers the misconduct allegations against Mr Anderson to the IOPC.

25 June - IOPC confirms to OPCC that an independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Anderson is under way.

1 July - Paul Anderson has his final day in office before retiring. Judi Heaton is named interim Chief Constable.

16 October - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services raises "serious concerns" about "instability in the senior leadership" at Humberside Police.

28 October - IOPC confirms Mr Anderson is under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.