Minister grilled about new police commissioner role
Nick Herbert, the Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice, meets Sergeant Tim Lucas, left, and Inspector Phil Jone in Portsmouth
POLICING Minister Nick Herbert was put on the spot over controversial plans for police and crime commissioners on a visit to Portsmouth.
Mr Herbert today met senior leaders from across the county as part of a series of visits across England and Wales ahead of elections in November.
The new police commissioner will replace Hampshire Police Authority, which is in charge of finance for policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The person elected to the £85,000-a-year post will have powers to appoint and dismiss the chief constable, determine local policing priorities, set the local budget and council tax precept and commission policing services.
Candidates vying for the top job in Hampshire include Cllr Jacqui Rayment, Labour chairwoman of Hampshire Police Authority, Cllr Sean Woodward, Tory Fareham Borough Council leader and the police authority’s vice-chairman, and Cllr Donna Jones, deputy Tory group leader on Portsmouth City Council.
Mr Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: ‘The police and crime commissioner will give the public a voice for the first time, a real say in policing. I think they will strengthen the link between the police and the public and ensure the public’s priorities are reflected.
‘They will strengthen accountability, but they will still allow the chief constable, as the professional, to do their job.
‘These are all roles that the police authority is doing. Now they will be done by an elected individual. It makes policing more transparent, more accountable and gives a direct say to the public. I think that they will be welcomed.
Critics say the move to an elected police and crime commissioner risks politicising the force and undermining the chief constable.
But Mr Herbert insists the role will give the public more powers. He added: ‘There is no intention that we should politicise policing. These reforms give the public a greater say through direct accountability.’
However the move has been criticised by Portsmouth City Council’s Lib Dem leader, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson. He said: ‘It’s a total waste of money. The problem for us in Portsmouth is it’s likely to be someone from a rural part of Hampshire.
‘It could be someone who has no idea what it’s like living in cities. At least at the moment the cities get a voice. It won’t happen under the new system.’
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
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The Watcher....
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:38 AMPS - £85K is not a huge salary for such a position. If it were in the private sector one could demand 4 x that!
The Watcher....
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:28 AM@1 - Police officers are not 'paid to walk the streets' as it is a complete waste of money and resources. If a 'Bobby' is 'walking' along, say, Cosham High Street, and a little old lady is being mugged in Northern Parade, then there is little chance of getting anyone to her in a hurry is there? Every district has a community based police team who do foot and cycle patrols. Just because they are not visible to everyone doesn't mean to say they are not out there!
morris.james.100
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 04:04 PMWe all know it will end up with one of our local politicians in the top job. Do we need or want a politician as the boss of the police force or do we want someone who knows what they are doing? I know which option I would prefer and it does involve politics.
jamiejoe
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:58 AMVernon-Jackson is against it because he wants the cosy relationship he has with the police to continue. An outsider wouldn't turn a blind-eye and he fears that. Lets have this change to prevent corruption between local goverments and the police. Vernon-Jackson is against it because he wants the cosy relationship he has with the police to continue. An outsider wouldn't turn a blind-eye and he fears that. Lets have this change to prevent corruption between local goverments and the police. His statement says it all...'The problem for us in Portsmouth is it's likely (The Police Chief) to be someone from a rural part of Hampshire.' This means Vernon-Jackson realises the new chief won't be in his pocket.
snapdog
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:09 AMPolice are paid to protect the public, that means policing by whatever means is necessary... the days of a copper on foot with a whistle are long gone, and of course there are less officers now...
grammarschoolboy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:52 AMIt would be nice if these people didn't advertise jobs with telephone number salaries and instead, just made police officers do what they are already paid to do...walk the streets of Portsmouth and actually "police" the area. In Paulsgrove during the 1960's there were officers in two's all over the place and then along came the new patrol cars and they disappeared inside them never to get out unless they were team handed. Nothing's changed has it?....ps....I'll do this job they're advertising and I'll do it for £15,000 a year and not £85,000.
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