Political policing

It is a question that has even more relevance after Tim Hollis, the head of Humberside Police, echoed Sir Norman Bettison, West Yorkshire’s chief constable, in warning about the politicisation of policing that threatens to undermine decades of impartiality. This is particularly pertinent in Humberside where Lord Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister, wants to stand as Labour’s campaign – further evidence, if any was needed, that commissioners are likely to be longstanding local or national politicians who will want to bring their views to bear.

Yet, as well as a commissioner, Mr Hollis will have to contend with a new-look police and crime panel that is in place to ensure the needs of the whole force area are given due consideration. It does not end here. He points to a long list of agencies that require regular input – and this is in addition to the 10 MPs that already exist on his patch, and the whims of hundreds of local councillors who represent wards on both banks of the Humber.

With commissioners also enjoying unprecedented powers to “hire and fire” chief constables, there is every chance that police chiefs will be recruited in future because of their political views on policing policy – and not their ability to cut crime and protect the region’s streets.

This is not the way forward. And while, regrettably, it may be too late to halt this November’s planned elections, there is still time for Mrs May to introduce safeguards that protect the operational independence of chief constables. The Government has provided such assurances over its NHS reforms, it should now do so with regard to the future of law and order.