Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill Debate

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Department: Home Office

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

Lord Shipley Excerpts
Wednesday 14th September 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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The noble Lord, Lord Wasserman, has been mentioned. I admire much in America, but I do not advise your Lordships’ to support our emulating the politicisation of its police service at the local level.
Lord Shipley Portrait Lord Shipley
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That form of politicisation will not occur, as the panel—which the noble Baroness supports—will be made up of elected local councillors with party-political labels, who will themselves elect the person who becomes the commissioner. In that sense, because there will be virtually no independent members of that panel, the person who is appointed will have a party-political background and role.