West Midlands Fire Service chief Frank Sheehan resigns after child porn arrest

Nov 19 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Nick McCarthy

THE man in charge of West Midlands firefighters was forced to resign after he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children.

West Midlands Police arrested Frank Sheehan, aged 55, yesterday at his home in Sutton Coldfield.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “A 55-year-old man was arrested yesterday at an address in Sutton Coldfield.

“He was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.”

Fire crews across Birmingham were told about the shock departure of Mr Sheehan this morning.

He spent his entire career with the West Midlands service and lives in Sutton Coldfield with his wife and daughter and has been the fire service boss since 2003.

He started as a firefighter in the West Midlands in 1975 and rose through the ranks.

West Midlands Fire Service would not release any information about