Suspension

In mid-May 2014, Gargan was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, as a result of allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour towards female officers and staff'. The enquiry into the allegations was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).^[2] During the period of Gargan's suspension and following his resignation, the force was led by the Deputy Chief Constable, John Long, and subsequently by Gareth Morgan, following Long's retirement

On 9 July 2015, Gargan was found guilty of eight counts of misconduct, none of which related to the original allegations. During the course of the investigation, which lasted more than 16 months, the IPCC found that he had sent inappropriate messages from his work phone, improperly interfered with a recruitment process and passed on confidential e-mails. All charges of gross misconduct, and of inappropriate behaviour, were dismissed. The disciplinary panel found they did not justify dismissal: consequently they recommended that he return to work. In line with the panel's recommendations, his suspension was immediately lifted and a phased return to his role leading Avon and Somerset Constabulary was planned.^[7] However, there was vocal local resistance to the idea of Gargan returning to work: the Police Federation of England and Wales issued a statement questioning whether the public could have "confidence in his leadership" following the guilty findings of the misconduct case, and a petition was set up campaigning for his resignation.^[8] Three former Chief Constables of Avon & Somerset Police called for his resignation on 6 August 2015 saying “Leadership should be inspiring and not an embarrassment.”

Ultimately, it was felt that the duration of Gargan's suspension made his position untenable. On 16 October 2015, Gargan resigned from Avon and Somerset Constabulary.^[9] He was awarded three months' salary in lieu of notice.^[10]

Over the course of Gargan's suspension and immediately following his resignation a number of local MPs questioned the handling of the situation, the length of time the investigation took (at considerable expense to the tax-payers of Avon and Somerset), and the way the local media, and social media, contributed to the ending of his career in policing, calling the process a "witch-hunt" and "trial by media".^[11] The issue was the subject of a House of Commons Debate called by the MP for North East Somerset Jacob Rees-Mogg on 29 October 2015.^[12] There was also suspicion that the allegations and public campaign against Gargan had been orchestrated by elements within Avon and Somerset and more widely across policing who resented his leadership style.^[13] The case is seen to have highlighted weaknesses and risks within the current legislation that defines the respective roles and responsibilities of PCCs and Chief Constables, as well as raising questions about the remit and competence of the IPCC, as detailed in a blog by Gavin Hales, Deputy Director of criminal justice think-tank The Police Foundation.^[14]