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Tom Winsor picked as top candidate for senior police role Tom Winsor picked as top candidate for senior police role
(about 11 hours later)
The author of a controversial review into police pay has been chosen as the preferred candidate to be the next Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales. The Home Office has put forward the author of a controversial review of police pay to be Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales.
Tom Winsor was selected by the Home Office, and will appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee next week, before final approval. Lawyer Tom Winsor will appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee next week before final approval.
If appointed, he would be the first person in the post who has never worked as a police officer. If appointed, the former rail regulator would be the first person in the post who has not worked as a police officer.
Police groups criticised his selection. The Police Federation queried whether he had the "profound understanding of policing" that it said the role needed.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the home secretary's decision to select Mr Winsor was an extraordinarily bold move as his review had made him deeply unpopular among many officers.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Tom Winsor has been named as the preferred candidate for the role of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).A Home Office spokesman said: "Tom Winsor has been named as the preferred candidate for the role of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).
"He will appear before the [select committee] before the appointment goes to the prime minister and the Queen for approval.""He will appear before the [select committee] before the appointment goes to the prime minister and the Queen for approval."
The 54-year old former rail regulator would be the first civilian to take up the role since the inspectorate was first established in 1856. The 54-year-old would be the first civilian to take up the role since the inspectorate was first established in 1856. He would replace Sir Denis O'Connor who retires at the end of next month.
'Most important' job'Most important' job
Last year, Mr Winsor was the author of a report into police pay and conditions in England and Wales which called for the abolition of a series of allowances and special payments. Last year, Mr Winsor was the author of href="http://review.police.uk/" >a report into police pay and conditions in England and Wales, which called for the abolition of a series of allowances and special payments.
He called for the current police pay system to be overhauled and replaced with one that recognised hard work and merit instead of long service.He called for the current police pay system to be overhauled and replaced with one that recognised hard work and merit instead of long service.
He recommended that officers on front-line duties should see their pay rise, and wanted a professional accreditation allowance of £1,200 to be introduced for most detectives, firearms, public order and neighbourhood policing teams. He also recommended that officers on front-line duties should see their pay rise, and wanted a professional accreditation allowance of £1,200 to be introduced for most detectives, firearms, public order and neighbourhood policing teams.
But he also said that police constables starting salaries should be cut, and unions complained that 40% of officers who do not work unsocial hours would face wage cuts of up to £4,000 a year. Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank-and-file officers, said: "The role of HMIC is one of the most important in policing.
His recommendations led to changes estimated to save £150m a year.
The news of the home secretary's support has drawn criticism from some police organisations.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, said: "The role of HMIC is one of the most important in policing.
"The HMIC provides advice on policing matters to the home secretary and if ever there was a need for sagacious advice from someone with a profound understanding of policing it is now."The HMIC provides advice on policing matters to the home secretary and if ever there was a need for sagacious advice from someone with a profound understanding of policing it is now.
"We look forward to hearing from the home secretary how the appointment of Tom Winsor provides the profound understanding of policing that is so important for public safety.""We look forward to hearing from the home secretary how the appointment of Tom Winsor provides the profound understanding of policing that is so important for public safety."
The Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales commented that the other candidates included a number of serving chief constables and others experienced in policing.The Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales commented that the other candidates included a number of serving chief constables and others experienced in policing.
"Hitherto this role has always been fulfilled by an individual with a strong and credible record of achievement within policing and knowledge and understanding of the wider criminal justice system. "Hitherto this role has always been fulfilled by an individual with a strong and credible record of achievement within policing and knowledge and understanding of the wider criminal justice system."
"We will of course continue to work constructively with HMIC for the betterment of policing in the public interest." Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said selecting someone without a police background was "innovative and it may be brilliant".
Meanwhile, Matt Cavanagh, from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), branded Mr Winsor "a risky if not reckless choice". But she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Winsor still had to prove to the select committee he had an understanding of the job.
"As well as putting the relationship between government and the police under further strain, this provocative choice could put at risk the growing reputation and contribution of HMIC at a crucial time," he added. "Theresa believes he can, I believe Theresa is probably, almost certainly, right," she said.
Mr Winsor has been suggested by the Home Office as the replacement for Sir Denis O'Connor, who retires at the end of next month after three years in the HMIC role. 'Risky if not reckless'
Dr Tim Brain, former chief constable of Gloucester and now a research fellow at Cardiff University, told Today that the government had shown contempt for police leadership and signalled that it wanted more people from outside the force at the top.
"It's very symbolic, it's hugely provocative, but we shouldn't be surprised," he said.
Criminologist and filmmaker Roger Graef told Today the move was "effectively a declaration of war".
Oliver Brettle, executive partner of Mr Winsor's law firm White & Case in London, said the nomination was "a testament to the work he has undertaken over the last 18 months in conducting the independent review of police pay and conditions.Oliver Brettle, executive partner of Mr Winsor's law firm White & Case in London, said the nomination was "a testament to the work he has undertaken over the last 18 months in conducting the independent review of police pay and conditions.
"We know Tom is passionate about taking on this important role and, in the event of his appointment, would fully understand him wanting to pursue this opportunity outside the firm.""We know Tom is passionate about taking on this important role and, in the event of his appointment, would fully understand him wanting to pursue this opportunity outside the firm."
Mr Winsor will meet members of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee next week, before his appointment can be sent to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen for approval.