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Police Commissioner’s ‘Not Stale, Male and Pale’ Hearing Held in Secret

Friday, October 31, 2025 police commissioner gloucestershire recruitment bias leadership diversity transparency interview controversy

Chris Nelson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, came under scrutiny after describing the recruitment process for the temporary chief constable role at Gloucestershire Constabulary as a break from the traditional “stale, male and pale” leadership. These comments, made during a BBC radio interview, ignited debate and concerns over potential bias against white, male, and older applicants. The hearing addressing these issues was conducted in secret, fueling further controversy around transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.