Ex -Staffordshire Chief Constable suggests there is sexism at top of British policing

Jane Sawyers, who retired in June from the post, is one of a number of women to leave top jobs in the past year.

There are now just four women Chief Constables out of 43 forces in England and Wales – half of what it was in 2014.

Mrs Sawyers said: "Either disproportionately female chief constables Chief Constables are less competent than their male counterparts, which is simply not the case, or there is something sexist about how female leaders are viewed."

An article in a national newspaper highlighted allegations of sexism concerns and operational interference by male Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) who had female top officers.

Mrs Sawyers said she had the backing of her PCC Matthew Ellis.

Suzette Davenport, a former Assistant Chief Constable at Staffordshire and West Midlands Police, retired as Gloucestershire Chief Constable in January.

The Times reports Ms Davenport acknowledged the relationship between her and PCC Martin Surl had deteriorated.

While Chief Constables are supposed to be operationally independent from their PCCs, she said it was 'not as clear-cut as some would envisage."

Mr Surl – a former police officer – said he has never interfered with operational policing and it was his job to hold Ms Davenport to account which he said was 'challenging'.

Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: "In a small number of relationships, particularly involving female Chief Constables and male PCCs, it seems to have broken down."

In February Justine Curran was asked to step down as Chief Constable of Humberside Police by her PCC.

She said: "It was clear from the beginning that he was never prepared to give me a real chance."

She added: "I think if you as a female put your head above the parapet you are opening yourself up to attack."

Humberside PCC Keith Hunter – a former Chief Superintendent – said: "Any suggestion this was precipitous or in any way associated with gender is without foundation."