New Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police announced

Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire Mark Burns-Williamson has today announced Mark Gilmore as the new Chief Constable, subject to ratification by the Police and Crime Panel.

Mr Gilmore, currently the Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, will replace Sir Norman Bettison who resigned in October in the wake of the inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Gilmore was a former Assistant Chief in West Yorkshire.

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 Assisstant 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.”

Mr Gilmore said: “I feel hugely privileged to have been appointed as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police. It will be an honour to work alongisde the Commissioner and Command Team to deliver our shared vision for policing.”

His appointment is subject to ratification by the Police and Crime Panel on 8 February.