FORMER Teesside MP and Solicitor General Vera Baird is considering a bid to become Northumbria’s first elected police commissioner.
The Labour politician, who lost her Redcar seat in the last general election, is understood to be seeking out views on a bid for the £80,000-a-year job.
Elections for the post are due to be held this November, with the winning candidate becoming one of the most powerful officials in the North East.
Police commissioners will be able to hire and fire chief constables, set the force budget and outline its priorities. The post will be overseen by a crime panel able to summon the commissioner and chief constable Sue Sim to give account of how they are performing.
If Ms Baird goes through with a formal bid she will be up against several Labour party colleagues seeking to be the official party nominee.
Newcastle City Council cabinet member Henri Murison was one of the first to say he will be seeking the nomination. Also making clear they are standing is Sunderland councillor Tom Foster.
Mr Foster is currently deputy leader of the soon-to-be-abolished Northumbria Police Authority. Its chairman Mick Henry is said to be considering a move for the job, although it is thought that would mean he has to step down from his post as leader of Gateshead Council.
Asked about his bid, Mr Murison said: “Leading Newcastle Council’s fight against crime I have turned on and fixed CCTV cameras left switched off by the previous Lib Dem council, as well as getting new cameras for the east of the city.
“I have made roads in residential areas safer, cutting speed limits to 20mph. I believe we need a Labour commissioner to defend neighbourhood policing as the coalition removes dedicated funding for police community support officers. I would also continue the police authority’s work to show how unfair national police funding cuts are to our area.
“We need to crack down on yobs and take a zero tolerance approach to domestic violence.
“I have committed publicly to defending the operational independence of the chief constable and her senior officers, while ensuring the highest standards of performance and conduct are upheld.”
Mr Foster last night told The Journal: “I do intend to put my name forward for the position of police commissioner.
“I have been a member of the Northumbria Police Authority for more than 13 years, currently holding the position of vice-chairman.
“During this time I believe I have gained the necessary experience required for the role. I know there may be other candidates but I feel my record of working in partnership with one of the best- performing police forces in the UK will hopefully mean something to the North East public.”
Other names mentioned in connection to the post include former North Tyneside mayor John Harrison. A bid from him would mean current Labour group leader Jim Allan does not have to go up against Mr Harrison to seek the party’s backing as the mayoral candidate in council elections.
The Conservatives are yet to name any candidates, although speculation is mounting that the party may instead offer its support to an independent candidate. Such a move would inevitably pitch Labour as the party-political bid against a well-intentioned outsider. No Liberal Democrat candidate has yet come forward.
Ms Baird could not be contacted in connection with the claims.
