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SUSPENDED: Yvonne Mosquito

A PUBLIC meeting has been organised for the community to discuss the suspension of West Midlands Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito.

Reports were confirmed on Good Friday (March 25) that Mosquito had been suspended over claims that she interfered with a serious police investigation.

It is understood that Mosquito, who has been deputy commissioner since 2012, has been suspended with immediate effect pending an internal investigation.

In a statement, Jonathan Jardine, chief executive of the officer of the Police & Crime Commissioner, said: “Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito has been suspended from her post with immediate effect.

“An internal investigation is underway into potential gross misconduct following concerns raised about interference into operational policing regarding an on-going serious investigation.”

Mosquito, a respected Birmingham Labour city councillor for the past two decades, is a former vice chair of the West Midlands Police Authority. She has chaired several committees, including the West Midlands Immigration Strategic Board and the Birmingham Housing Benefit Review Board.

As Britain’s only black female in a leading PCC role, she has represented the Police Authority at the National Association of Police Authorities and is a keen campaigner for West Midlands Police to better reflect the community it serves.

A committed Christian, Ms Mosquito is an ordained pastor within her church – the United Pentecostal Church of God. She has also served as a former chair of the Council of Black-Led Churches.

She was appointed as Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner by Bob Jones, the region’s first Commissioner, until his sudden death in July 2014.

The public meeting will be held on Monday April 4th at 7pm at the African Caribbean Millennium Centre, 339 Dudley Road, Winson Green, B18 4HB.