Humberside Police’s Chief Constable has published an open letter hours ahead of an annual inspection report which will “no doubt point out there is more for me to do.”

Cheif Constable Chris Todd expects the assessment by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) – which grades police forces in England and Wales on their effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy – to be out this week.

The former Assistant Chief Constable at the Police Service of Northern Ireland started in the role exactly a year ago.

In the last inspection, the force was graded outstanding in three areas, good in four and “requires improvement” in investigating crime.

Humberside Police Chief Constable Chris Todd.

placeholder image — Humberside Police Chief Constable Chris Todd.

In the letter to police and crime commissioner Jonathan Evison, Mr Todd said he was proud of the “brilliant” service the force gives, and underlined recent high-profile court cases including the guilty plea of Hull funeral director Robert Bush to 67 criminal charges.

He highlighted call handling and response times as being among the best in the country, with detection rates “top four in the UK overall”. However, he said “continued delivery of performance at such levels has not come without its own challenges”.

The police chief said the force had addressed gaps in strategic leadership, long-term financial planning, governance, policy and compliance.

He said: “We were told by HMICFRS last time round our investigations needed to improve and they have. Our outcome rates are among the highest in the country.”

He said they had achieved a great deal, adding: “But this is the start and as HMICFRS will no doubt point out there is more for me to do.”

Mr Evision said he was pleased “the actions you have taken to address issues highlighted previously, and potentially in your upcoming HMICFRS report, are showing improvements already. I await the full report with interest.”