Police and crime commissioner concerns raised by North Lincolnshire councillor
A councillor has raised concerns about the power and accountability of police and crime commissioners.
Elections will be held in November for a commissioner in each force, including Humberside Police.
They, along with police and crime panels made up of councillors and co-opted members, will replace the current police authorities that are responsible for holding forces to account.
A presentation on the new system was given to North Lincolnshire Council's places scrutiny panel by Paul Cheeseman, strategic development manager at Humberside Police Authority.
He explained that commissioners will be elected every four years, will be responsible for appointing chief constables and will have the power to dismiss chief constables if necessary.
Councillor Andrea Davison, a member of the scrutiny panel, said: "The police and crime commissioner is not accountable to anyone apart from the public, but the public will only have their say once every four years.
"In that time, an immense amount of damage could be done."
Mr Cheeseman replied: "It is an interesting point.
"I guess that power will be vested in the police and crime panel."
4 Comments
by englander61
Sunday, February 19 2012, 7:12PM
“the police should work for the law not for politics , why do we need a police commissioner ,with power over the law able to control the way the law works by sacking the ones that do not agree with how he wants law to work , The police should work for the people and not any politically inclined person especially one with two jobs or more, that to me makes politics above the law .”
by Bill_Igerent
Saturday, February 18 2012, 3:07PM
“Let me get this right! Other than the ballot box, every 4 years; there are to be no powers for local people to recall their Police & Crime Commissioner.
As much as the conservatives have been banging on about giving us the power to recall our MP for any wrongdoing etc.!! http://tinyurl.com/ykuplnv
AND YET Commissioners, potentially the likes of John Prescott and his ilk, can hire & fire the Chief Constables at will?!
Maybe its just me?? Either way, give me strength!!”
by Anotherthing
Saturday, February 18 2012, 12:38PM
“Anybody who holds the post of Police commissioner should be willing to do that job and that job only for the duration of their time in office. If they cannot survive on £75000 pa then get somebody else, we do not need part timers.”
by Shinya
Friday, February 17 2012, 3:49PM
“Same as you then Cllr. Davison !”