Scott Green, the new Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, has vowed that his decisions will not be swayed by activists, politics or religion, following a period of turmoil for the force.
Green takes over permanently from Craig Guildford, who quit in January after apologising for providing incorrect evidence to MPs, including denying that AI was used in a report that led to the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa European tie.
Commitment to law and evidence
Speaking after his appointment was confirmed, Green said: "My decisions will be based on law, evidence, professional policing standards, threat harm and risk, not political, religious, social, activism driven or unconscious bias pressures."
He told the police and crime panel on Monday: "I will tell the commissioner what he needs to hear rather than what he might want to hear."
Green began his policing career in South Yorkshire Police in the 1990s, moved to Greater Manchester Police in 2021, and joined the West Midlands force as deputy chief constable in April 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Appointment and predecessor's exit
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said he appointed Green after a "rigorous selection process". Foster added: "I am pleased to announce Scott Green as the new Chief Constable of West Midlands Police. I have appointed him following a rigorous selection process.
"He is an experienced police officer who has already proven he is capable of leading the second largest force in the country.
"I expect the new Chief Constable to deliver on the commitments in my Police and Crime Plan, to deliver for the people and communities of the West Midlands, to build on the progress that has been made and to ensure continuous improvement."
Guildford's retirement was confirmed in January after both Downing Street and the home secretary said they had lost confidence in his leadership. He faced numerous calls to resign after apologising for providing incorrect evidence to MPs, which included a denial that AI was used in the report which led to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the game on 6 November 2025.
Announcing his retirement, the 52-year-old blamed what he described as the "political and media frenzy" for his decision to step down. "I have carefully considered my position and concluded that retirement is in the best interests of the organisation, myself and my family," he said at the time.
Reaction and priorities
Foster welcomed that decision and said it had avoided what might otherwise have been a complex and costly process. However, news of Guildford's £57,800 retirement payout drew criticism from Lord Austin of Dudley, a former minister and prominent campaigner against antisemitism, who called it "an appalling use of taxpayers' money."
He added: "Craig Guildford should have been fired and not allowed to resign. That money ought to be used to pay for police on the streets of the West Midlands."
This week Green claimed there had been a 17% reduction in crime in the West Midlands since he took over the role, and said he had developed a plan to prevent harm, protect people and build trust in the region. He added that he had "demonstrated the competence" needed to fulfil the role, and that the next stage for the force was "about building upon the progress made and being honest about where further improvement is required".
Green also told the panel he wanted neighbourhood policing to be visible, investigators to bring more offenders to justice and for victims to receive "the service they have the right to expect." He added that he wanted the force to be "relentless" in tackling violence against women and girls, organised crime, road safety and violent crime.
"I want West Midlands Police to provide excellent value for money and demonstrate every pound entrusted to us is being used effectively," he said. "Above all, I want the people of the West Midlands to have the confidence that their police service listens to them and treats them fairly."
