By Richard Johnstone | 8 June 2012
The Home Office has defended its decision to nominate Tom Winsor, the lawyer who undertook a controversial review of police pay, as the preferred candidate to become the next chief inspector of constabulary.
If the department gets its way, Winsor will take over from Sir Denis O’Connor, who retires at the end of July, as head of the police watchdog.
However, the nomination has been criticised by the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, who say the role should not be given to someone with no policing experience.
Chair Paul McKeever said: ‘The chief inspector 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.’
But a Home Office spokesman said that the appointment of Winsor, who is also a former rail regulator, would go to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen for approval. Winsor will also appear before the home affairs select committee for a pre-appointment hearing.
Policing minister Nick Herbert told Radio 4's Today programme that the Inspectorate of Constabulary would continue to draw on the expertise of former chief constables as well as civilian inspectors.
He said: ‘The candidate Tom Winsor is a highly experienced regulator, has demonstrated his independence in the [pay] report that he has given, [and] 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.’
Winsor would be the first non-police officer to hold the post. He completed a two-stage review of police remuneration and conditions in March, which recommended stopping various bonus payments and ending the system of pay progression based on length of service. He called for police pay deals to be linked to performance and skills.
The Police Federation has previously warned that Winsor’s pay proposals would cause ‘serious financial hardship’.
The Home Office has defended its decision to nominate Tom Winsor, the lawyer who undertook a controversial review of police pay, as the preferred candidate to become the next chief inspector of constabulary.
If the department gets its way, Winsor will take over from Sir Denis O’Connor, who retires at the end of July, as head of the police watchdog.
However, the nomination has been criticised by the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, who say the role should not be given to someone with no policing experience.
Chair Paul McKeever said: ‘The chief inspector 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.’
But a Home Office spokesman said that the appointment of Winsor, who is also a former rail regulator, would go to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen for approval. Winsor will also appear before the home affairs select committee for a pre-appointment hearing.
Policing minister Nick Herbert told Radio 4's Today programme that the Inspectorate of Constabulary would continue to draw on the expertise of former chief constables as well as civilian inspectors.
He said: ‘The candidate Tom Winsor is a highly experienced regulator, has demonstrated his independence in the [pay] report that he has given, [and] 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.’
Winsor would be the first non-police officer to hold the post. He completed a two-stage review of police remuneration and conditions in March, which recommended stopping various bonus payments and ending the system of pay progression based on length of service. He called for police pay deals to be linked to performance and skills.
The Police Federation has previously warned that Winsor’s pay proposals would cause ‘serious financial hardship’.
