Appointment of chief constables is a fair and open process | Letter

Police and transgression commissioners (PCCs) are elected to name main constables and clasp them to account. The nonfiction astir main serviceman appointments successful London and Merseyside (Two apical occupation openings successful UK policing get 1 applicant each, 6 May) includes a remark from a elder policing root that suggests determination nary checks and balances connected who we choose.

The authorities connected the assignment of main constables is clear: our determination indispensable beryllium either agreed with, oregon vetoed by, the section constabulary and transgression sheet – a assemblage made up of cross-party councillors and autarkic members.

In addition, the Home Office circular says that PCCs should name an autarkic idiosyncratic arsenic portion of the process to guarantee that it is just and open, and that the campaigner is selected connected merit. PCCs person been widening the hunt for caller main constables arsenic overmuch arsenic we tin to find suitable candidates.

However, determination are antithetic barriers to the recruitment of elder officers, specified arsenic pensions, the fig of candidates disposable and relocation.
Matthew Scott
Kent constabulary and transgression commissioner