Agenda item

Tim Smith (Temporary Chief Constable, Kent Police) was in attendance for this item.

1.    The Chairman reminded Members that the Confirmation Hearing was not a re-interview of the candidate but an opportunity for the Panel to ensure they were satisfied that due process and reasonable judgement was used by the Commissioner in making his decision to recommend Mr Tim Smith as the new Chief Constable of Kent Police.

2.    The Panel were provided with a report of the Commissioner, in adherence with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which detailed the Competency and Values Framework for Policing criteria used for assessing the candidates, appointment process and proposed appointment of Mr Smith to the role of Chief Constable.

3.    The Commissioner gave an overview of the two-day interview process, which included: a presentation from candidates on tackling violence against women and girls as well as their strategy proposals; a media exercise based on a mock HMICFRS report; and a long form interview. He confirmed that the interview panel consisted of himself, Cllr Matt Boughton (Leader, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council) and Henu Cummings (Chief Executive Officer, Mid Kent Mind), with assistance from his Office. He reassured the Panel that the that the College of Policing guidelines were followed throughout the process. It was noted that there was considerable competition in the market with many other forces, including Hampshire and Thames Valley, in the process of recruiting Chief Constables. Members were assured that Mr Smith was aware of the relationship between the Commissioner and Chief Constable, as well as how he would be held to account in public and private. The Commissioner concluded by sharing his confidence that Mr Smith would drive forward improvements to policing in Kent.

4.    A Member asked whether the candidates were given the opportunity to meet residents and voluntary and community sector representatives on the briefing day. The Commissioner confirmed that the charity Victims Support had been involved in the process, running the public survey on what residents wanted from their Chief Constable as part of the Annual Police Survey. He noted that good communication, people skills and integrity were the key areas raised. It was explained that there was no direct engagement with residents or voluntary and community sector representatives on the two interview days.

5.    A Member asked the Commissioner why he had elected to offer a 10% enhancement to the advertised salary for the role of £172,218. The Commissioner stated that the enhancement reflected the need to attract high quality candidates and salaries of recent Chief Constable appointments made to other forces.

6.    Following a question from a Member, the Commissioner reassured the Panel that he had not disadvantaged any candidate based on their local knowledge, with candidates provided the same information at the briefing day.

7.    Members shared their concerns at the low number of applicants for the position. The Commissioner explained that applications were low nationally, with eight other recent Chief Constable recruitment processes receiving between one and five applicants. It was noted that in three instances there was only one candidate. He added that it was his intention, in collaboration with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, to make recommendations to the College of Policing and Home Office, suggesting ways to increase the number of suitably qualified chief officers.

8.    A Member highlighted engagement as an issue and asked whether Mr Smith had shared his views on how it would be improved. Mr Smith explained that improving 101 response times, with call attrition already halving during his tenure as Temporary Chief Constable, and engaging the force on future changes would be priorities. Regarding engagement with Kent Police officers and staff, he explained that all staff affected by the neighbourhood policing review were consulted and that local councils would also be engaged in due course. He added that he would use increased resources, where available, to prioritise neighbourhood policing and was aware of the challenges faced by the serious crime units.

9.    A Member asked the Commissioner why Chief Constable turnover had increased nationally in recent years. The Commissioner explained that the average time in office had decreased from 4 ½ to 2 ½ years, pension regulations were cited as a leading factor.

10.Members thanked Mr Smith for his recent briefing, in his capacity as the Temporary Chief Constable. They emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong Panel-Chief Constable relationship, without undermining the Commissioner’s role as the scrutineer of the Chief Constable. The Commissioner agreed that continued Chief Constable Panel briefings would be appropriate.

11.Mr Smith made long standing commitment to Kent, welcomed the Commissioner’s scrutiny and pledged to work with Commissioner to maintain a strong relationship between Kent Police and the Panel.

RESOLVED to:

a)    review the Chief Constable appointment process;

b)    review the proposed appointment; and

c)    agree to the appointment of Mr Tim Smith as Chief Constable of Kent Police.