THE suspended Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Nick Gargan, will face a gross misconduct hearing following allegations he improperly disclosed information and behaved inappropriately towards woman.

It follows an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation which ended earlier this month.

In a statement released this morning, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Following the conclusion of the IPCC’s investigation into allegations in relation to the improper disclosure of information and inappropriate behaviour towards women, made about Chief Constable Nick Gargan, I was provided with the IPCC’s report and had 15 working days to make a decision on whether or not to refer the matter to misconduct proceedings. 

“The IPCC put forward a number of recommendations regarding Nick Gargan. 

“In accordance with those recommendations, I have made the decision there is a case to answer for gross misconduct and therefore I will refer the allegations to a misconduct hearing in front of an independent misconduct panel.  I will not be involved in the misconduct panel.”

Mr Gargan, who denies any wrongdoing, has been suspended on full pay since being sent home on May 13 by Ms Mountstevens after the complaints came to light.

 Her statement added: “The misconduct panel will consist of a leading counsel from a Home Office agreed list, who will act as chair of the panel, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary or another HMIC inspector of constabulary nominated by him and an independent member of the public.

 “The members of the panel will decide if the allegations are proven or not and will present their recommendations to me. 

“I will ensure that these recommendations are made public. 

“The exact timing of the misconduct panel will depend on various factors, however it will take place as soon as possible, hopefully in the next few months.”

The IPCC announced earlier this month that Mr Gargan would not face any criminal charges in connection with the allegations.

A spokesman for the Chief Police Officers Staff Association said after that announcement: “Chief Constable Nick Gargan is pleased with the announcement and is glad that the investigation has now been completed.

“He will continue to co-operate to the fullest possible extent with the process in the hope that he can return to his important role, serving the people of Avon and Somerset, as soon as possible.”

John Long is currently Avon and Somerset’s acting Chief Constable.