Author Archives: samchapman

Yet more questions for Lancashire’s PCC

Posted on 08/07/2014 by samchapman

There was an element of quiet but persistent confusion at Monday’s Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire. The first issue to come up was the Curious Case of the Missing Chief Executive. This has two key elements, the first of … Continue reading →

Posted in Expenses and Allowances, Updates | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Norfolk PCC Stephen Bett steps back from stepping aside

Posted on 06/07/2014 by samchapman

It’s been a busy couple of weeks in PCC world, but I wouldn’t want readers to miss the latest update on the saga of Stephen Bett, Norfolk’s PCC. Mr Bett you will remember had stepped aside from his office while … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Acting-Up

Posted on 04/07/2014 by samchapman

TopOfTheCops readers do not disappoint, and several have copied me into emails to Birmingham City Council’s Chief Executive to alert him to the vacancy in the office of PCC for West Midlands. By my reckoning, if he had not managed … Continue reading →

Posted in Media coverage, Perspectives, Selecting Candidates, Updates | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Waiting for the starting pistol

Posted on 03/07/2014 by samchapman

On Tuesday we all had to deal with the sad news that Bob Jones had died, and almost immediately to consider the impending by-election in the West Midlands. As reported at the time, there is a 35-business-day deadline by which … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Selecting Candidates, Updates | Tagged | Leave a comment

PCC Scrutiny heats up in Norfolk

Posted on 03/07/2014 by samchapman

It’s all steadily getting worse for Norfolk’s PCC, Stephen Bett. At first there was the problem of his expenses, embarrassing but investigated and then repaid. Then the IPCC finally decided to have someone investigate them from a criminal perspective. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Expenses and Allowances, Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

West Midlands PCC Bob Jones CBE dies suddenly, aged 59

Posted on 01/07/2014 by samchapman

This morning we had the sad news that Bob Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, has suddenly died in his sleep overnight, at the age of 59. You can sign a Book of Condolences here. I never … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“I would claim five hundred miles…”

Posted on 30/06/2014 by samchapman

…and I would claim five hundred more, but I wouldn’t admit being overpaid until the press were at my door… fa, la, la…” Sorry about that, but it strikes me Lancashire’s PCC is very much a Pro-Claimer Commissioner, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The gift that keeps on giving

Posted on 28/06/2014 by samchapman

It was way back in June 2012, before Clive Grunshaw was chosen as the Labour candidate for Lancashire PCC, that I warned Labour (and everyone else) that he was the gift that keeps on giving, and I have only ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Cart before horse.

Posted on 25/06/2014 by samchapman

Imagine you are a Police and Crime Commissioner, and having settled into your role you think it is time to review your support structure. You would probably have a report drafted presenting a variety of options and some analysis of … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives | Tagged | 4 Comments

Don’t do the job, but still get paid. Do more without extra pay?

Posted on 24/06/2014 by samchapman

Have the Office of the PCC for Norfolk been reading TopOfTheCops? After what is understood to be consultations with lawyers and the Home Office they appear to have come to the same conclusion as featured here last week – that … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspectives, Updates | Tagged , | 2 Comments