Next chief constable named by West Midlands police commissioner
Acting chief to be given the role on a permanent basis
Scott Green has been named as the preferred candidate to become the next chief constable of West Midlands Police.
Mr Green, who has been serving as acting chief constable of the force since January, has now been formally selected by police and crime commissioner Simon Foster as the man he wants to lead the force on a permanent basis.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Panel must now decide if it wishes to approve the appointment at a confirmation hearing on September 28.
He will take over from Craig Guildford, who retired following criticism over his handling of a decision to ban Israeli fans from a football match against Aston Villa.
The commissioner said he made the decision following a rigorous selection process which saw candidates questioned by panels of young people, police officers and staff, before a formal interview by a panel chaired by the PCC.
Mr Foster said: “I am pleased to name Scott Green as my preferred candidate to become Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.
“This followed a rigorous selection process,” he said.
Mr Green said: “I am pleased to have been named as the Commissioner’s preferred candidate to be the next Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.
“I would be absolutely delighted to continue to serve the people of the West Midlands and honoured to lead our brilliant workforce of officers, staff and volunteers.”
Mr Green joined West Midlands Police as deputy chief constable in April 2023 before taking over as acting chief constable in January this year following Mr Guildford’s departure.
He started his police career in South Yorkshire Police in the 1990s, serving in uniform and CID at various ranks, including working for the forerunner of the National Counter Terrorism Policing network. His last role in South Yorkshire Police was as a chief superintendent in charge of Barnsley.
He moved to the Midlands in 2020 when he was appointed assistant chief constable of Staffordshire Police with responsibility for contact, response, partnerships and neighbourhoods. In September 2021 he moved to Greater Manchester Police as part of a new senior team to lead the force out of special measures.
Mr Guildford announced his retirement after both Downing Street and the Home Secretary said they had lost confidence in his leadership.
He faced numerous calls to resign after apologising for providing incorrect evidence to MPs, which included the denial that AI was used in a report which led to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Europa League tie at Villa Park on November 6.
Announcing his retirement, Guildford, 52, did not offer an apology and blamed what he described as a “political and media frenzy” for his decision to step down.
"I have carefully considered my position and concluded that retirement is in the best interests of the organisation, myself and my family," he said.