§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what criteria he has used to determine which of the applications to be independent members of the Hampshire Police Authority he will approve; [14454]
(2) when the Hampshire Police Authority will receive confirmation of the Home Office's selections for new independent members of the Authority. [14455]
§ Mr. MichaelI have selected a shortlist of candidates to fill the vacancies for two independent members on the Hampshire Police Authority. My officials are writing to the Clerk to the Authority to inform him of the shortlisted candidates. The councillor and magistrate members of the Authority will then decide who from the shortlist should be appointed to the Authority.
The following criteria apply to the selection of all independent members:
As well as being of good character, independent members of police authorities should:
412Wpossess good communication skills;be able to demonstrate the ability to challenge accepted views in a constructive way;be able to represent a wide range of people in the community; have an understanding of their policing needs, and of the pressures and challenges which face the police themselves;have skills and experience which would broaden the expertise available to the authority.Applications for appointment as an independent member of a police authority are invited from all eligible persons irrespective of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other irrelevant factor.