South Yorkshire's chief constable Stephen Watson picked for top job with Greater Manchester force
Chief Constable Stephen Watson (pictured) has been chosen today (Wednesday) as the prospective new leader of Greater Manchester Police, whose previous chief Ian Hopkins quit in December following a critical report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts is also leaving South Yorkshire behind soon after being picked as the new chief constable of Cheshire Police, where he was deputy to the top job until 2017.
South Yorkshire Police, which has yet to name a successor, has been contacted for comment, but no interviews will be held until after police and crime commissioner elections in May.
Mr Watson was named yesterday as the preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, following interviews earlier in the week. He is due to speak to the region’s police, crime and fire panel on Friday before a vote on whether to approve his nomination.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This has been a challenging period for Greater Manchester Police but I am confident that we have found the right person to lead the force into a new era.
“Chief Constable Watson has a proven record of improving police performance and establishing the positive, accountable, victim-centred culture that I have said I want to see.
“I hope the panel will support our recommendation and open a new chapter for policing in Greater Manchester.”
South Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner, Dr Alan Billings noted Mr Watson, who he appointed in 2016, had overseen improvements at SYP from the point where it was rated as inadequate.
“I congratulate him and know that he will serve Greater Manchester with the same determination and purpose that he showed us.”