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Chief Constable Liable for Contempt of Court
27 Nov
Summary
- Chief Constable found personally liable and in contempt of court.
- Court of Appeal made ruling on November 11.
- Commissioner considered but rejected suspending the Chief Constable.
A significant court ruling has found Northamptonshire's Chief Constable, Ivan Balhatchet, personally liable and in contempt of court. This decision stems from the failure of officers to produce footage related to an arrest. The matter reached the Court of Appeal on November 11, resulting in the serious finding against the Chief Constable.
Danielle Stone, the Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner, addressed the extraordinary situation at a panel meeting. She revealed that she had contemplated suspending Mr. Balhatchet but concluded it was not the appropriate course of action given the circumstances. Stone highlighted concerns about the Chief Constable's late awareness of the issue.
In response to the Court of Appeal's judgment, measures are now being implemented to address the contempt finding. The situation underscores the importance of evidence preservation and procedural adherence within law enforcement, with consequences for failures impacting judicial processes. The commissioner emphasized that actions are underway to rectify the situation.
