PRESSURE is mounting on Avon and Somerset’s Chief Constable to resign – or be sacked.

Nick Gargan, who was suspended in May last year after female colleagues accused him of inappropriate advances, has been told he can return to work on a phased basis despite being found guilty of eight counts of misconduct.

The panel who heard the case is preparing a report for the force’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, who will then hold a sanction hearing with Mr Gargan, who had denied any wrongdoing.

But former Taunton PC Gordon Knight, who served as an officer and then support staff worker for a total of 45 years, is calling on Mr Gargan to fall on his sword.

He said: “I’ve been in contact with many former officers and they’re all of the same opinion.

“He’s the senior officer and, if he returns to work, he’ll have to sit in judgement of officers disciplined for misconduct – how can he possibly judge them?

“He should do the decent thing and resign.

“This has brought into shame a force that so many ex officers respect.”

Meanwhile, Claire McDowall, director of Safe Horizon – which promotes psychological health and wellbeing in policing – has “grave concern” over the prospect of Mr Gargan returning to work.

Writing to Ms Mountstevens, Ms McDowell calls on her to force the chief constable to resign as his position is “untenable”.

She said: “The people of Avon and Somerset cannot have confidence in their police when you continue to employ Mr Gargan using public money and by demonstrating his attitude towards women is condoned.

“Mr Gargan is well aware there is an expectation on him to adhere to standards of professional behaviour and to maintain professional boundaries.

“This was not one incident which was an error of judgement – there is evidence that this behaviour was persistent.”

She added that it could damage the confidence of victims of domestic abuse and sexual offences in reporting incidents to the police.

Ms Mountstevens said she is unable to comment on the case “until it is finalised”.

She added: “I know the whole process has been disruptive for the organisation and witnesses.

“I’m sorry for the length of time it has taken to get to this point.

“Those people who reported concerns and provided information to the investigation have been offered support.

“They have shown strength of character in coming forward and continue to be patient as we follow the process.”

Mr Gargan admitted after the misconduct hearing that his actions had “fallen below the standards expected of a chief constable”, but said he was pleased that more serious gross misconduct charges were not proven.

He said: “I am relieved and very pleased that my suspension is at an end.”