Cameron in police charm offensive to head off mutiny
By politics.co.uk staff
Tory plans for elected police commissioners are being heavily debated, with chief constables visiting Downing Street to voice their concerns about the plans.
The policy of elected police chiefs has turned much of the police force off the Conservatives. Labour believes it raises serious issues of political interference in policing.
But the Conservatives are committed to pushing ahead with the scheme, with police being offered greater freedom in return, together with assurances over operational independence.
All chief constables were invited to Downing Street to discuss the plans today as part of a charm offensive intended to get police on board with the scheme.
The government insisted the meeting was routine, and similar events are held once a year for the home secretary to meet police. But the presence of the prime minister and the meeting’s six-hour duration suggest the Tories felt the need to satisfy police chiefs.
