Durham’s new Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has vowed not to take on a Deputy PCC in his first term of public office. Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act passed by Parliament in September 2011, PCCs are entitled to appoint a deputy PCC. So far, 15 of Ron’s 40 counterparts up and down the country have done so.
However, Ron has confirmed that he will not be following the lead of many of his counterparts:
“Unlike many other PCCs, I am fortunate in that I have over 30 years experience as a former police officer and know how the system operates. As far as I see it, the people of County Durham and Darlington elected me to represent their needs and having a Deputy PCC was never part of the deal.”
PCC salaries have been determined nationally, however, it is up to each PCC to decide how much they pay their Deputy PCC.
This has naturally sparked criticism from Police Think Tanks who believe that the substantial salaries emerging for Deputy PCCs would be better used on front-line policing.
