Leon Walker,
Regen.net,
18 July 2008
Mallon: 'Robocop' backs policing powers for Mayors
Elected mayors will be given powers over policing, if proposals in a government Green Paper come to fruition.
Yesterday's Policing Green Paper: ‘From the neighbourhood to the national', says that where a local area already directly elects a mayor, this person will automatically be their local Crime and Policing Representative (CPR).
The CPR will sit on the force's police authority - a body charged with supporting and scrutinising the force - the paper says.
Currently the country has only 12 directly elected mayors including former police chief "Robocop" Ray Mallon in Middlesbrough, who has welcomed the announcement:
He said: "It is clear that the policing agenda has long been set by national government when in fact it should be set by the local community to address local issues."
But Mallon also maintains support for a degree of police independence.
"Operational responsibility must be retained by the Chief Constable and should not be interfered with by any politician, which includes elected mayors," he said.
But press reports this morning suggest that the Local Government Association is not keen on the proposals.
Policing Green Paper: ‘From the neighbourhood to the national' is available here
