Neil Wilby Media

Oldham has a new District Commander, following the promotion of Superintendent Phillip Hutchinson to Temporary Chief Superintendent by Greater Manchester Police.

Straightforward enough one might think, particularly as the widely experienced and qualified T/C/Supt Hutchinson has been serving in the town since February, 2022 as Operations Manager in charge of operational response and neighbourhood policing. Posted to Oldham immediately after joining GMP from Lancashire Constabulary.

But the abrupt departure of his former boss, Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen, has left an information vacuum that is now being filled on social media with wild and unflattering speculation over the circumstances of the change in District Commander.

In a blaze of publicity, C/Supt Bowen was recruited from West Yorkshire Police in September, 2021 and was clearly a favourite of the chief constable, Stephen Watson. He was highly visible and most certainly not publicity shy.

It is also fair to say that, as a leader, he made a considerable impact, both operationally and in terms of morale of the front line officers in the District, who appeared to go about their jobs with greater purpose and effectiveness. With a notable increase in the number of investigations and arrests, for example. Those outside the police force who dealt with him professionally, almost without exception, found him likeable and engaging.

Reliable sources are coming forward to say that Chris Bowen, a passionate and committed police officer for 28 years, is the superintendent at the centre of a current assessment by the Independent Office of Police Conduct over misconduct allegations. But, under present policing policy, neither the police watchdog nor GMP would be able to confirm that proposition even if his name was put to them in the form of a press enquiry. But, as in all such cases, the presumption of innocence of any wrongdoing must apply if, indeed, he is the officer involved.

Whichever way that falls, and he no longer appears on the list of chief superintendents and their roles on the GMP website, it is unfortunate that a tenure in Oldham that began so well with a memorable presentation at a Full Council meeting in November, 2021 (read more here), has ended with barely a whimper.

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Page last updated: Monday 17th July, 2023 at 06h25

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