Frank Sheehan, chief fire officer of West Midlands Fire Service, Quits after Child Porn Arrest
The chief fire officer of West Midlands Fire Service has quit his job after being arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children.
Frank Sheehan, 55, was said to have quit for "personal reasons" but it has emerged he left because of the arrest.
Frank Sheehan, 55, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, was arrested and bailed yesterday.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a 55-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday at an address in the Sutton Coldfield area on suspicion of making indecent images of children.
"He has been bailed pending further enquiries."
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "This is a police matter and I cannot comment any further."
Councillor Peter Howard, head of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, released a statement confirming Mr Sheehan's resignation.
He said: "Frank Sheehan has resigned from his post, for personal reasons, as Chief Fire Officer for West Midlands Fire Service with immediate effect.
"The Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Vij Randeniya, will be acting in the role of Chief Fire Officer.
"The Fire Authority has every confidence in the corporate Board and the staff of West Midlands Fire Service who will continue to serve the communities of the West Midlands."
Mr Sheehan joined the service as a firefighter in 1975 and was promoted to chief officer in 2003.
He was awarded a CBE in June this year in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to local government.
Sky News
The chief officer for the West Midlands Fire Service has resigned after he was arrested in connection with a child pornography inquiry.
Frank Sheehan was arrested in Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday as part of investigations into the making of indecent images of children.
West Midlands Fire Service has not yet made any public comment over the allegations.
The 55-year-old who was honoured with a CBE in 2007, is on police bail.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said a 55-year-old man had been arrested in the Sutton Coldfield area on Tuesday on suspicion of making indecent images of children.
Councillor Peter Howard, chairman of the fire authority, confirmed Mr Sheehan had resigned from his post citing "personal reasons".
Deputy chief fire officer, Vij Randeniya, will take over his role.
Mr Sheehan became chief officer in 2003 and received his CBE for services to local government.
BBC News