WEST Yorkshire Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison has ruled himself out of the country’s top police job.
And he has spoken out strongly about the way Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Sir Ian Blair, has been treated.
Sir Norman ended speculation about applying to become the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police following Sir Ian’s shock decision to resign.
And he had words of warning about top police jobs becoming too closely linked to politics.
“It is flattering to be linked with the Met job, but I have no intention of applying to be the next Commissioner,” said Sir Norman.
“For one thing, I made a commitment to the West Yorkshire Police Authority and to my force to lead a five-year change programme. I am less than two years into that task. I am happy and fulfilled here. I intend to keep my commitment.
“I think there is much to be said for remaining in a role where, for the time being at least, I am allowed to get on with the job and policing without political interference.
“I have been in policing for 36 years and have studied, visited, and worked alongside law enforcement agencies throughout the world.
“One of the great strengths of the British system is the independence afforded to chief constables to make operational decisions within what is called the tripartite framework.
“The parties involved in setting the strategy for policing are the Home Office, local Police Authority and the Chief Constable or Commissioner. I worry that we stand on the verge of upsetting that balance with dangerous consequences.
“It is not just the actions of the Mayor of London in his new role as Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority. As Ian Blair made clear, if, as chief you lose the confidence of your Police Authority then you are a lame duck anyway.
“The real threat lies in the ambition which seems to be shared by all three major political parties at the moment.
"The dislodging of Ian Blair is a demonstration of political will. Along this road lies danger. I am therefore staying put.”
