Gloucestershire’s Chief Constable Suzette Davenport has been officially cleared of any misconduct after the Independent Police Complaints Commission into a murder investigation in Staffordshire in 2002 ruled she had no case to answer.

The IPCC has totally vindicated the recommendation made by Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl over a year ago.

Mr. Surl said: “In my view the investigating officer’s report did not justify a charge of gross misconduct against the Chief Constable. "The delivery of the report has been protracted, its contents confused and the evidence simply did not stack up. "I am delighted the commission has finally agreed with me. "I never had any doubts Suzette would be exonerated by the IPCC. My only surprise is that it has taken them so long to reach the same conclusion and I am disappointed at that”.

Operation Kalmia was the name given to the IPCC investigation to determine whether any offences had been committed in connection with Staffordshire Police’s handling of disclosure of unused material in a prosecution relating to the death of Kevin Nunes who was shot dead in Staffordshire in September 2002.

Nunes was a suspected drug dealer who was shot in an execution-style killing after straying into another gang’s territory. Five men from the West Midlands jailed in 2008 were released after an appeal hearing in March 2012, prompting an investigation into the police handling of a key witness and how disclosure was dealt with afterwards.

Mr. Surl said, “There were undoubtedly problems within the Staffordshire force at that time, performance issues which are mentioned in the IPCC report. But it also concludes that at that stage of her career Suzette could, and should, have expected to have received more support from senior colleagues. In fact, useful lessons have come to light through Operation Kalmia which all chief officers can learn from.

“But let me be clear, I spent a lot of time looking into the case before I appointed Suzette and none of what I found out then or since ever caused me to question either her ability or her integrity.

“Since her appointment as Chief Constable more than three years ago, Suzette has dedicated herself to the important job of protecting the county and providing a service to the people of Gloucestershire. I am delighted the shadow that has been over her for far too long has finally been removed”.

Gloucestershire’s Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said, “I have always tried to carry out my duties diligently and professionally.

“I am both pleased and relieved that the IPCC matters are concluded. I would like to thank all those who have supported me over the last three years whilst I have been here and whilst I was in Northamptonshire.

“I now look forward with the aim of continuing to do my best on behalf of Gloucestershire Police and our local communities”.