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Tom Winsor picked as top candidate for senior police role Tom Winsor picked as top candidate for senior police role
(39 minutes later)
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.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.
Lawyer Tom Winsor 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, the former rail regulator would be the first person in the post who has not 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.
The Police Federation queried whether he had the "profound understanding of policing" that it said the role needed.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.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). The 54-year-old would be the first civilian to take up the role since Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) was first established in 1856. He would replace Sir Denis O'Connor who retires at the end of next month.
"He will appear before the [select committee] before the appointment goes to the prime minister and the Queen for approval."
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 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 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.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.
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. Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank-and-file officers, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the organisation was "very surprised that the home secretary has chosen somebody who has so little experience of 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. Mr McKeever said that Mr Winsor had needed a retired chief constable to advise him when he was compiling his report on pay.
"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." "When you look across the police service there are so many people with real experience and real understanding - a profound understanding - of policing, we don't know why the government has chosen a commercial lawyer."
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. Mr McKeever said officers were concerned about the future of policing. "I spoke to one middle ranking officer last night who said he was considering resigning yesterday - he was so astonished at the announcement".
The Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales earlier 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."
But Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice Nick Herbert told Today that from the next chief inspector of constabulary would have to command the respect of not just the police service but also of elected police and crime commissioners.
"The inspectorate will continue to have a mix of civilians and former chief constables," he said.
"The candidate Tom Winsor is a highly experienced regulator, has demonstrated his independence in the report that he has given, was by far the best candidate for the job. And we will continue to ensure that the inspectorate of constabulary is inspecting in the public interest - which is what its primary task should be."
Appointment 'hugely provocative'
Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said selecting someone without a police background was "innovative and it may be brilliant".Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said selecting someone without a police background was "innovative and it may be brilliant".
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. But she told Today Mr Winsor still had to prove to the select committee he had an understanding of the job.
"Theresa believes he can, I believe Theresa is probably, almost certainly, right," she said."Theresa believes he can, I believe Theresa is probably, almost certainly, right," she said.
'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.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."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.
"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."