Blunkett to call for elected police chiefs
Home Secretary David Blunkett today will outline plans to make police forces in England and Wales more accountable to the communities they serve.
Addressing the Association of Police Authorities, Mr Blunkett will say that directly or partially elected local police chiefs will improve public confidence in the force and offer people the chance to influence local policing and shape police authorities.
His comments come as the green paper on crime is published.
The consultation document backs plans for the establishment of so-called “community advocates,” agents to assist people to deal with crime and the police and to improve accountability.
The consultation paper will also re-raise the issue of merging some smaller police forces.
Mr Blunkett is expected to emphasis the findings of new research which concludes there is no public understanding of police accountability.
