Cleveland Police Authority has announced that it is seeking to recruit a Chief Executive to take it through what its Chair describes as ‘a period of major challenge and change—including the transition to Elected Police and Crime Commissioners.’
The appointment, which will carry a salary of £90,000 a year, will be for a fixed term until March 2013 and the Authority says it is seeking to appoint an experienced manager who can build on the achievements which have seen Cleveland Police become one of the most successful forces in the country in reducing crime, improving community safety and increasing public confidence.
Says Authority Chair Mr Peter Race “We have faced particularly difficult challenges over recent months which was why in August we sought the assistance of North Yorkshire Police Authority’s Chief Executive Jeremy Holderness and key members of his team. We were very grateful for the willingness of North Yorkshire to make available that support but we fully respect the fact that they have now given us notice that they would like him back as soon as possible.
“Both ourselves and Mr Holderness understood that it was always going to be a temporary arrangement and we are now at the point where it makes sense to put in place more permanent measures which can provide the stability we need—both to maintain an efficient and effective policing service against a background of major financial pressures…and ensure a smooth transition to the creation of police commissioners and the elections in a year’s time.
“I want to underline our appreciation for the support which Jeremy Holderness and his team have given us over recent months. Understandably he has a big job do in North Yorkshire as we move to the new system of governance and, given that there is a legal requirement to have a Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer in place, we believe making a substantive appointment is the right way forward.
“The role of the new Chief Executive will relate specifically to the circumstances we face in preparing for the move to commissioners—indeed in advertising the post we have made clear we are looking for someone with a proven track record of delivering change and who can make things happen against tight timescales—and tight budgets.”
Added Jeremy Holderness “During my period working with the Cleveland it has become increasingly clear to me that it is the best interests of the Authority—and the delivery of a quality police service—to fill the Chief Executive post on a substantive basis in order to provide the professional support to Peter Race and his authority colleagues.
“That is why I strongly recommended that the authority should bring medium-term stability to the team and members accepted that advice.
“The Authority has a vital contribution to make in working with the Force senior management team to support and protect policing in Cleveland over the next year—and ensuring that the transition to police commissioners is as smooth as possible.”
The appointment will be for a fixed term to March 31 2013 in order to allow for the incoming Police and Crime Commissioner to decide on longer-term arrangements.