The recruitment for the next chief constable of West Midlands Police has attracted three applicants, Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster told the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel on Monday. The vacancy followed the retirement of the force's previous chief constable, who left amid scrutiny over decisions tied to last November's Europa League fixture in Birmingham.
Applicants described as capable as shortlist drawn up
Foster said the three candidates who applied before the deadline would be considered for shortlisting this week. He characterised the applicants as "eligible, capable, knowledgeable" and suggested there was a realistic chance the full set could progress to the panel's formal assessment later in the summer.
"eligible, capable, knowledgeable"
The assessment phase has been scheduled for 9 and 10 September, when shortlisted candidates will undergo the formal evaluation process. Panel members at the meeting raised concerns about the relatively small number of applications and the possibility that the final shortlist could be limited, potentially leaving the decision-makers with only one option to appoint.
"there will be three candidates on the shortlist"
Foster declined to pre-empt the outcome while stressing he did not wish to judge the process in advance. The post became vacant after the previous chief constable retired following controversy surrounding the force's handling of intelligence used to advise event organisers in Birmingham last year.
Context and local impact
Last November, Birmingham Safety Advisory Group moved to prevent supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv attending a Europa League match at Villa Park after decision-makers relied on evidence later found to have been incorrectly gathered with the aid of Microsoft Copilot. The episode prompted intense scrutiny of the force's processes and led to the departure of Craig Guildford, who admitted to MPs that he had provided misleading information about the use of artificial intelligence.
The new chief constable will inherit the task of restoring public confidence and guiding the force through reforms prompted by the episode. The recruitment timetable suggests a definitive selection will be reached after the September assessment days and any subsequent stages required by the panel.
Key dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Deadline for applications | Passed (applications closed on the Friday prior to the panel meeting) |
| This week | Shortlisting of candidates |
| 9–10 September | Assessment process for shortlisted candidates |
Members of the public and stakeholders will watch the process closely given the seriousness of the earlier errors and their consequences for event safety decisions in Birmingham. The Police and Crime Panel will continue to scrutinise the recruitment as it proceeds.
- Three applications received for chief constable.
- Shortlist to be drawn up this week; assessment days on 9–10 September.
- Vacancy followed the force's use of flawed AI-derived evidence and the retirement of the former chief constable.
