Lincolnshire PCC Alan Hardwick has backed Temporary Chief Constable Neil Rhodes’ bid to take the job permanently – despite suspending him earlier this year.
Mr Rhodes, who has been Chief Constable since March 2012, was the only applicant for the £131,000-a-year job but his appointment still has to be confirmed by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel.
A public confirmation hearing is to be held on December 6 after Mr Hardwick proposed that Mr Rhodes should be formally appointed Chief Constable on Monday.
They have continued working together since Mr Hardwick suspended Mr Rhodes in February over a misconduct allegation but it was quashed by a High Court judge a month later.
Mr Rhodes was finally cleared after an investigation led by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy was completed in August.