Video: Acting chief constable in the dark over suspension of Lincolnshire Police chief constable

In an internal interview with the force, the acting chief constable revealed that the circumstances of the suspension of Neil Rhodes on February 26 remain unknown.

As reported, Mr Rhodes was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire Alan Hardwick over ‘potential conduct matters’.

In the interview with the force’s head of communications, Tony Diggins, Mr Wood said: “The decision has been taken entirely by the police and crime commisioner, the force and myself included have no knowledge of the circumstances why Neil Rhodes has been suspended.

“All I can say is I have been asked to step up as acting chief in the interim and I’ll do my very very best to lead this force forward in the next weeks and months.

“As soon as I am in a position to tell people what’s happening I will do that.”

The acting chief constable said his priority in the interim, along with acting deputy chief constable Keith Smy, will be to maintain Lincolnshire Police’s ‘excellent service’ to the public.

Lincolnshire Police say the decision to suspect Mr Rhodes was a ‘neutral one’ and have not commented further.

The matter has been referred to The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who will decide whether to investigate further.

Watch the video to see the full interview with Alec Wood.