Reinstated chief constable of Lincolnshire Police Neil Rhodes has issued a statement this evening (Thursday).
The statement follows news earlier today that Ch Cons Rhodes’ suspension had been quashed by a High Court judge.
He was suspended from duty in February by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick over “potential conduct matters”.
Mr Hardwick said he had taken the decision to remove the chief constable from duty after allegations he had mishandled an employment tribunal issue with a senior colleague from another force.
But High Court judge Mr Justice Stuart-Smith quashed the suspension at Manchester Civil Justice Centre and allowed Ch Cons Rhodes to return to work, calling Mr Hardwick’s decision “irrational and perverse”.
Ch Cons Rhodes issued this statement this evening: “Having been reinstated as a constable and chief constable I have travelled back from the judicial review hearing at Manchester and have met with my chief officer team and have resumed control of the force.
“Over the Easter period I will be taking a long-planned period of leave and I look forward to serving the community of Lincolnshire as best I am able upon my return.
“I would very much like to thank the huge number of people in the Lincolnshire Police and ordinary members of the public for their messages of support which number several hundred. I am really grateful to them and I want to get back to work to repay their faith in me.
“The most important thing now is that all of our attention turns to policing the County of Lincolnshire.”