​VOTERS in North Lincolnshire will be asked to elect an American-style police commissioner in 2012.

The new position is intended to let the public hold Humberside Police to account at the ballot box for the first time.

The commissioner – who could stand for a political party or as an independent candidate – will be responsible for hiring and firing Humberside’s chief constable and setting the force’s priorities and its multi-million pound budget.

“This marks a radical new programme of reform to change the face of policing here in the UK,” Home Secretary Theresa May told reporters at Westminster.

“What we want to do is re-establish the links between the police and the public – over time they have been disconnected from the people they service.”

The first commissioners will be elected in May 2012, replacing the current chairmen of local police authorities – who are simply appointed.

The plan met with opposition from Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin, who drew comparisons with the team mascot dressed as a monkey who was elected mayor of Hartlepool in 2002. The history of directly-elected positions in England is rather mixed,” he said.

“There’s been some success with the mayor of London but in other parts of the country we’ve ended up with football mascots and I don’t think that’s what we need in Humberside.”

But Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy warmly welcomed the plan, saying: “This means that local people will for the first time have a voice in determining the priorities of the local police force.

“One of the biggest problems in my post bag is from constituents who are unhappy with the service they’ve got from the police and now we will have one single person we can hold to account at the ballot box.”

The same view was expressed by Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, who said: “The public’s priorities have been overlooked in recent years; there’s been less emphasis on dealing with antisocial behaviour and more time spent following the politically correct agenda.”

Humberside Police Authority, which will be abolished under the plans, said it would be taking part in an eight-week consultation.

“Residents should be reassured that in everything we do, our aim at all times is to safeguard local policing on behalf of the people who live, work of visit our area,” said chairman Chris Matthews.

The Chief Constable of Humberside Police, Tim Hollis, declined to comment yesterday. But in a recent article about the plan he expressed concerns, saying: “Can one person represent the wide range of views on rural communities, as well as those living in towns and cities?”

Mrs May also set out plans for an FBI-style force to crack down on organised crime.