The second largest territorial police force in England, covering the Metropolitan County of West Midlands, including the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, totalling nearly 2.9 million inhabitants. Chris Sims, Chief Constable at the time of Inquiry, and Chief Inspector Sally Seeley, who ran the West Midlands Police press office, gave evidence. Sims described a "very traditional relationship" with the media, with regular contact with the Evening Mail, Birmingham Post, Express and Star, and Coventry Evening Telegraph newspapers, plus periodic contact with others. He told the Inquiry that he never accepted hospitality from the media because "it's a professional relationship". Chief Inspector Sally Seeley said officers were expected to notify the press bureau if they had contact with reporters.
Regional evening newspaper based in Wolverhampton and covering the West Midlands and Staffordshire. Adrian Faber had been editor of the Express and Star for 10 years at time of giving evidence and spoke of the culture change that had occurred when the West Midlands Police introduced press officers. Told the Inquiry that relationships were generally good but that the police's aim of "reassuring the public" could be frustrating.
