Sunday 30 May 2010

Kent Police Authority: Time for Change

Do you know the name of the chair of Kent Police Authority (KPA)? I imagine most people in Kent don't know, nor the fact that it is a lucrative position paying £29,234 per year to the post holder. A member of the KPA receives £9,234 per annum.

The government is proposing that there should be a directly elected commissioner which seems to me to be a very sensible proposal. Not only will it save money but it will bring in direct accountability to the electorate.

Currently members are appointed from magistrates and councillors, except for the 'independent members'.

To become an independent member you are required to fill in an application form which is then considered by an 'independent selection committee'. So far I have not found any information which sets out who appoints this committee, who sits on it and its terms of reference. If you get past this stage you are then interviewed by members of the KPA.

The sooner this process is swept away and democratic accountability is introduced the better.

Unsurprisingly the Chair of the KPA has come out against the government's proposals. Her main argument seems to be that the status quo is working well and by implication the lack of democratic accountability doesn't matter.

Nearly forgot: the chair of KPA is Ann Barnes.

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