‘There is an argument that we need a more direct approach to governing the police’ - but outgoing Warwickshire Police Authority chairman has ‘no view’ on change
AFTER working for Warwickshire Police Authority for nine years and being its chairman for the past 18 months, Phil Robson is preparing to take his retirement, now that police authorities across England and Wales are wound up.
The job of overseeing the work of the police force will instead be handed over to the new Police and Crime Commissioner, due to be elected on November 15.
Mr Robson told the Courier he has “no view” on whether the change will be for the good of policing in the county, but he adds: “There is an argument that a more direct approach to governing the police is needed. That’s the Government line.
“We have known for more than a year now that we were going to hand over to police commissioners in November and we are ready for the change.”
There will be a one-week ‘handover period’ after the commissioner’s role comes into force on November 22, but Mr Robson is confident that the transition will be smooth as authority staff will still be working for the commissioner.
He says: “We are really proud to be handing over a going concern. The authority wanted to be able to hand over a balanced budget, a reasonably thought-out financial plan and a force that is performing as well as it has these six months and we have achieved that.”
He adds: “As you can see, the commissioner will inherit a force which is strong and continues to focus on delivering the best possible protection. I know that policing services will be even more efficiently and effectively delivered in alliance with West Mercia in the years ahead.
“With this in mind I would like to thank the force and all of our local communities and partners for their continued support and engagement.”
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Weather for Kenilworth
Sunday 26 May 2013
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