Kent News
The chair of Kent Police Authority Ann Barnes has promised a top class replacement for retiring police chief Michael Fuller who leaves in April.
Today she has told Police Professional magazine, the leading journal for officers across the country, of her plans for the future.
Policeprofessional.com reported this morning that Mrs Barnes said she wants Kent Police at the very forefront of UK policing.
She told the magazine: “There have been substantial improvements in recent years but members believe it is still a work in progress and ambition is high."
She explained the successful candidate will need to deal with a wide range of issues; the force has a strong international dimension with ports, vast amounts of freight that pass through the county and the threat of terrorism at the Channel Tunnel.
Mrs Barnes also told Police Professional that the authority is keen to work with the chief constable in a strong partnership to deliver what the public wants.
Kent Police was described as being at "the leading edge of collaboration, particularly with Essex Police, to maximise efficiencies".
Mrs Barnes said: “There is already a joint Specialist Crime Directorate, IT department and procurement arrangements. A significant amount of infrastructure and back office is shared and some operational aspects of service are based on collaboration.”
Kent has a robust and secure financial platform but the authority is not under any illusions over the hard choices ahead. However, when difficult decisions need to be taken, the chief constable will need to state a case and defend that position publicly with the full support of the police authority.
Mrs Barnes also explained that she did not have a template in mind of the type of officer required.
They will need to be able to develop organisational competence across every aspect of policing, whether that is neighbourhood policing or dealing with major or serious and organised crime.
“However, a track record of delivery and performance improvement, and a commitment to work in partnership with the authority to secure the improvements the community wants, will be very important.”
The successful applicant will take command of a relatively inexperienced chief officer team – three assistant chief constables have less than a year’s service in rank – which will make operational leadership experience important.
The job comes with a salary of £147,456, benefits and relocation package as the job is expected to appeal to senior officers from across the country.
See the policeprofessional.com report by clicking HERE
POSTED: 04/02/2010 13:30:00
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