Humberside Police chief to help 'bed in' crime commissioner

HUMBERSIDE Police's Chief Constable Tim Hollis has said he will not retire until after the election of a police and crime commissioner.

Mr Hollis told the Mail he will remain in post until at least the end of this year to help "bed in" the new commissioner, who will be elected in November.

He has already announced his intention to retire when his fixed term of employment expires in March next year.

However, Mr Hollis said he has not decided when he will leave after eight years at the helm.

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He said: "I have told my team I will be here on December 31 this year and gone by the end of March but I have not decided when exactly I will go."

Despite previously expressing concerns over the role of commissioner, Mr Hollis denied his decision to leave was because of the impending election.

Whoever is elected will be responsible for choosing Mr Hollis's successor.

"It is coincidental," said Mr Hollis.

"It is merely another consideration for me. By next year, I will be into my 36th year of policing and I have had a fantastic career.

"I am enormously proud to have been chief constable but there is so much going on that now seems a good time for a fresh pair of hands.

"I have done a good job and the force is in good fettle. Solid foundations have been built, so it seems like the logical time to go."

A report due to be discussed by Humberside Police Authority's transition oversight committee today says there is a risk chief officers will leave the force during the transition period.

However, Mr Hollis said he will remain at the helm for at least the commissioner's first month in the job.

One of their first duties will be to find a successor to Mr Hollis, at a time when several other forces will also be searching for a new chief constable.

Mr Hollis said: "The reality when I retire is the commissioner will be responsible for appointing a new chief constable at more than 12 other police forces.

"They will all be trying to find the best chief and it is likely the same people will be going for all of the jobs.

"That will be another challenge for the commissioner."

Former deputy Prime Minister and Hull East MP John Prescott has been chosen as the Labour candidate for the commissioner job.

He will be going up against Conservative Matthew Grove, currently an East Riding councillor, and former Tory MP Walter Sweeney, who plans to stand as an independent candidate.

The election will be held on November 15, with the commissioner starting work a week later.