Bettison’s successor as West Yorks police chief is named

Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire Mark Burns-Williamson announced the appointment today, subject to ratification by the Police and Crime Panel.

Mr Gilmore is the current deputy chief constable of Northumbria Police and a former assistant chief in West Yorkshire.

He replaces Sir Norman Bettison, who resigned in October amid mounting pressure following the inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium disaster.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “I am delighted to announce my appointment of Mark Gilmore as the new Chief Constable for West Yorkshire.

“Mark comes to this role with a great deal of experience having spent the last 18 months as deputy chief constable in Northumbria and for two years before that as assistant chief constable in West Yorkshire. He also has extensive experience of serving in Northern Ireland.

“Many of us have worked with Mark in the past and know him to be extremely enthusiastic and committed to policing and crime prevention in the county.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Parkinson for being such an excellent Temporary Chief Constable, particularly during what has been a difficult time. The standard of the interviews was exceptionally high.

“I look forward to working with Mark and John, the rest of the Command Team and the Force going forward and to continuing the work to improve the lives of all people in their communities across West Yorkshire.”

Mark Gilmore said: “I feel hugely privileged to have been appointed as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police. It will be an honour to work alongside the commissioner and command team to deliver our shared vision for policing.”