AVON and Somerset Chief Constable Nick Gargan has been asked to resign after it was revealed he sent, received and stored intimate images and text messages on his police issue iPhone.

The disgraced boss was  found guilty of eight counts of misconduct in a hearing process which cost more than £500,000 and today the details of his offences were revealed. As well as using his phone to take and send intimate images, he forwarded confidential emails about missing people and a complaint about himself from a member of the public to someone outside of the force. He also interfered with a recruitment process by sending a job description of a new role to a woman working outside of the force and encouraged her to apply.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said he had abused his position and had lost the faith of the public, constabulary staff and police officers and she was using special powers calling on him to resign or retire.

Ms Mountstevens said: “Chief Constable Nick Gargan has let down the colleagues he led and the communities he was there to protect.

"He abused his position by forwarding confidential emails, interfering with a proper recruitment process and sending, receiving and storing intimate images on his police issue phone.

“As the Chief Constable, Nick Gargan should have led by example and demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, values and professional behaviour. Instead he has shown flawed judgement and been found guilty of eight counts of misconduct including two of discreditable conduct.”

Mr Gargan has been suspended as of today. It is not possible to dismiss a chief constable as general employment law does not apply to police officers. Instead he has been asked to resign in a process which will involved Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMCIC) and the Police and Crime Panel (PCP).

A petition signed by more than 1,000 people had been presented calling for Mr Gargan’s resignation and concerns were also raised in a letter from the three former Chief Constables of Avon and Somerset as well as by Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Chief Officer Group, Avon and Somerset Superintendents Association, Avon and Somerset branch of the Police Federation, Unison South West and the Avon and Somerset branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers.

“From what I have seen and heard, he has lost the confidence of local people, police officers and staff,” added Ms Mountstevens.

“I believe that there is now a detrimental impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of him leading Avon and Somerset Constabulary, which is why I have today initiated the process to require him to resign.”

Acting Chief Constable John Long will continue to lead Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Following his retirement at the end of August, Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Morgan will take over on a temporary basis as Chief Constable.