Lib Dems may delay plans for police boss elections

The first commissioners – with the power to hire and fire chief constables – are due to be elected next year, but two senior Lib Dem figures are calling for the idea to be piloted before being implemented in forces across England and Wales.

Ministers claim introducing commissioners in place of existing Police Authorities will mean someone is held responsible, but critics fear the move could lead to policing becoming politicised.

Opponents have also warned that the move could cost £136m over 10 years, at a time when spending on policing is being significantly cut.

The Bill allowing the commissioners to be introduced has already passed through the Commons, but Lady Hamwee, the Lib Dems’ spokeswoman on home affairs in the Lords, said she wanted the proposals trialed for three years first. She is expected to table amendments to the Bill as debates continue.

“There are concerns about things like where the boundaries are between the new commissioners and chief constables and seeing something working as a pilot ought to give a better basis for assessing the way the whole thing will operate,” she said.

Fellow Lib Dem Lord Bradshaw said he too wanted the police commissioner idea piloted, with the delay possibly lasting beyond the next general election.

“The only people who would, as it were, stand are people probably with the backing of a political party or possibly in some cases a very dominant local newspaper, and I don’t believe the public would feel any more represented than they are now,” he insisted.