KENT NEWS: KENT Police Authority may seek an exemption to rules that state Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Leppard cannot step into the top job.
Mr Leppard will fill in for Mike Fuller on a temporary basis until a permanent replacement is appointed in the summer, but cannot be promoted because he has already served as both a deputy and assistant chief constable in the same force.
Last month he missed out on landing the top job at Norfolk Constabulary.
Kent Police Authority chief executive Mark Gilmartin said: “There’s a requirement that says you cannot serve as all three chief officer ranks in the same force because it is felt there is a benefit to having experience elsewhere.
“This can be waived in extreme circumstances so we may well seek to secure an exemption; not to shove Adrian into the job but just in case he wants to apply.
"Undoubtedly he would make an outstanding chief constable, here or elsewhere.”
The authority is already advertising for the new post, which comes with a salary of £147,456.
Mr Gilmartin said he hoped to be in a position to assess the shortlist by the middle of May.
Should Mr Leppard apply for the job, the authority will apply to the senior appointments panel and a decision made next month.
Mr Fuller said: “I’ve worked very closely with Adrian. He’s a very able, competent and energetic deputy and I have every confidence in him.”
Ian Pointon, chairman of the officers’ union the Kent Police Federation, declined to comment on Mr Fuller’s performance as chief constable.
POSTED: 07/02/2010 09:00:00
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