Grantham ex-copper favourite for chief constable role

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has picked Paul Gibson as the preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable.

He was born and started his career in policing in Lincolnshire, where he spent 19 years in the force before leaving to take on the role of Assistant Chief Constable in Derbyshire Police.

Paul, 46, started his career as a bobby on the beat in Grantham before becoming a detective in 2000. He is married with two daughters.

He climbed the ranks and was appointed as the force’s Assistant Chief Constable before departing in 2018 to the larger force of Derbyshire.

Dr Gibson also studied genetics at university and gained his doctorate in molecular medicine.

PCC Marc Jones said the decision was made “after an exhaustive recruitment process” which finished on September 10.

The recommendation will now go to the Police and Crime Panel in early October for consideration and confirmation.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be selected and very much looking forward to coming home to take on the job of keeping this wonderful community safe,” Dr Gibson said.

“After almost two decades serving in Lincolnshire, I know the county and its people really well and have always harboured an ambition to one day lead the force.

PCC Marc Jones said the process to find the right candidate had been thorough.

“I wish to pay tribute to the candidates who gave so much to be part of the process and who presented me with such a tough decision to make. I truly believe that the evidence has allowed me to identify an outstanding preferred candidate in Paul.

“His passion for the county, its communities and the force which serves them shone through in the whole process.

“I have absolutely no doubt that Paul has a passion and determination to serve Lincolnshire running through is veins.

“I was impressed by is very detailed plans of how the force can meet the challenges of modern policing and he has the right breadth and depth of experience to lead the force into a bright future.”

Current Chief Constable Bill Skelly will retire later this year.

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