MP Questions Police Authority Appointment

Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, has added his voice to concerns raised by Staffordshire County Council about the appointment of a full time Chief Executive.  The post will carry a salary of £85,000 per year but will be abolished no later than 2012 as part of the government’s police service reforms.

In the House of Commons Mr. Pincher questioned Home Secretary Theresa May about the appointment.  He said:

“Last week, Staffordshire police authority announced the appointment of its first full-time chief executive, with a salary of £85,000. Does my right hon. Friend [Theresa May] agree that the people of Staffordshire would rather have more influence over policing priorities than see the appointment of another unelected, unaccountable and expensive bureaucrat?”

Theresa May responded:

“The whole point of the structure that we are proposing is that, after May 2012, there will be directly elected police and crime commissioners who will set the budget and the strategic plan for the police, and ensure that the decisions being taken are in line with the interests of the people and with fighting crime.”

Afterwards Mr. Pincher said:

“I will be writing to the Chairman of the Police Authority asking him to justify this appointment.  It does not appear to be a sensible use of scarce public money at a time when police cells are being closed to save money.”

“I will want to know why the current arrangements cannot be continued until the Police Force changes are introduced in 2012”.

County Council Leader Philip Atkins has also questioned the wisdom of the appointment following a vote of nearly all County Councillors asking the Authority to justify its actions.