Mark Kingscote steps down after five months amid controversy over his role
Devon: So, guess what? The deputy police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly has resigned. This comes just five months after he took the job, which was already a bit controversial.
Mark Kingscote, a former Conservative councillor from Torbay, was brought on board by PCC Alison Hernandez last July. She needed help with some leadership issues in the police force. But here’s the kicker: the police and crime panel didn’t even support his appointment during the confirmation hearing.
They thought he lacked the experience to represent all the residents properly. Despite their concerns, Hernandez went ahead and hired him anyway. Fast forward a few months, and he’s out. In a letter, she mentioned he resigned due to “personal circumstances,” but didn’t go into details.
She did express gratitude for his help with various projects, like public events and the police museum. Interestingly, she doesn’t plan to find a replacement anytime soon.
When she picked Kingscote, she claimed he had a unique skill set, especially from his 30 years in the NHS working with people with complex mental health needs. He was supposed to tackle issues like anti-social behavior in Torbay while she focused on the police leadership, which was in a bit of a mess.
At that time, the chief constable was suspended over serious allegations, and the acting chief constable faced his own troubles. Both are now under investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
Last month, Hernandez appointed a former chief of Dorset police as the interim chief constable, which she said would be a positive change for everyone involved.
Even though she can appoint a deputy without the panel’s backing, she apologized for not informing them before going public with Kingscote’s appointment.
The police and crime commissioner’s office is keeping quiet about his resignation, calling it a “staff matter.” The chair of the police and crime panel expressed surprise and disappointment, reiterating her earlier stance that the deputy’s salary could be better spent on more officers on the streets.
The role was meant to last for a year, with a chance to extend it until 2028, when the next elections for the police and crime commissioner will take place. Hernandez, a Conservative, was elected for the third time last year.
