PRESSURE continued to build on Avon and Somerset's chief constable this week ahead of a sanction hearing today to determine his future.

Nick Gargan was suspended in May last year while the IPCC investigated claims of inappropriate conduct and data breaches against him.

An independent panel last month cleared him of gross misconduct but found him guilty of eight misconduct charges and he returned to work on national policing projects.

Mr Gargan is set to find out if he his future at the force at a sanctions hearing with Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

The details of the eight counts of misconduct have not yet been made public, but Avon and Somerset Police and Mr Gargan have faced backlash over his return.

Former police officers have spoken out about it and last week a letter from three former chief constables called on him to resign.

The pressure continued to build this week when a petition was handed to Ms Mountstevens, with hundreds of signatures calling on Mr Gargan to go.

Ms Mountstevens has been urged to use the powers available to PCCs to call upon him to resign.

She has said she is taking concerns seriously but does not want to comment before the misconduct process is finalised.

She added: "I have received the independent misconduct panel's report and I am considering the panel's report recommendations and the sanction of eight final written warnings."

Mr Gargan has said he understands people have questions and said he would address them.

In July he said he was "very much looking forward to returning to work" and "beginning the process of rebuilding confidence in the force".