The temporary chief constable of West Yorkshire Police is set to leave the force – weeks after he was overlooked for the permanent job.
John Parkinson stepped into the role after Sir Norman Bettison resigned in October and was one of four candidates interviewed for the permanent position earlier this month.
But he has informed staff of his intention to retire next month after he lost out to Mark Gilmore.
In a memo, he told them: “I have decided that now is right time for me to move on and explore new challenges and opportunities.”
Mr Parkinson joined West Yorkshire Police in 1979 as a cadet and subsequently worked in all geographic areas of the force.
He was the senior investigating officer (SIO) during inquiries in West Yorkshire into the London bombings on July 7, 2005, and was appointed assistant chief constable in 2009.
He acted up as chief constable after Sir Norman quit in October amid mounting pressure over his role as an officer with South Yorkshire Police during the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.
But he has announced that he will retire on March 31 after Mark Gilmore, the current deputy chief constable of Northumbria Police, was given the permanent job by West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.
His memo added: “While it saddens me to leave my ‘professional family’ I am sure the Force will go from strength to strength under the leadership of Mark Gilmore.”
Mr Burns-Williamson said: “We will be losing a fine, high-calibre police officer, whose down-to-earth, approachable style of policing has been a benefit to the force whatever rank John has held.
“He took over as temporary chief constable at a particularly challenging time and just before the police and crime commissioner elections, but John has done a fantastic job of leading the force and establishing the working relationship with me and my office.”
Comments