Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner names who she wants as her deputy

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts has announced that she plans to appoint a deputy PPC to help her to deliver her police and crime plan for the county. She is recommending the appointment of Thomas Spray to the role and this proposal will be presented to the police and crime panel at a confirmation hearing on November 7.

Mr Spray is currently a serving member of staff at Derbyshire police, with experience in the force's police contact centre where he has hands-on involvement in managing critical communications between the police and the public.

Putting forward Mr Spray for the £32,100 role, Ms Ndiweni-Roberts said: "Thomas has a wealth of policing experience and knowledge to offer. With considerable time spent in the police contact centre, he is well-placed to drive the improvements, efficiencies and quality of service I have promised our residents and understands how critical it is to rebuild public trust and confidence in the policing service overall.

"The role of deputy PCC is challenging but I have no doubt Thomas' operational policing knowledge, his awareness of the challenges facing the public sector and his passion for public service make him uniquely qualified to excel in this role and become a true advocate for our communities.

"Importantly, Thomas's calm, pragmatic approach, and his genuine enthusiasm for helping our communities thrive, align perfectly with the values I seek in a deputy commissioner and will serve as a strong foundation for the successful delivery of my police and crime plan."

As a GMB union representative, Mr Spray has advocated and mediated on behalf of staff - experience which aligns with the PCC's own passion for developing a positive workplace environment for employees and caring for those who care for the public.

If the police and crime panel approves the PCC's recommendations for appointment, Mr Spray will be required to leave his role at Derbyshire police before taking on his deputy PCC post.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 provides PCCs with the statutory power to appoint a deputy. The process is not subject to any specific criteria or guidance, and it is entirely the Commissioner's decision on who is appointed and how the selection is determined.

Ms Ndiweni-Roberts was appointed to role of PCC in May this year. The incumbent Conservative candidate, Angelique Foster, lost out to Labour's Nicolle Ndiweni in the race to secure the £78,400 PPC role for the next four years.

The PCC is an independent elected position that is charged with securing efficient and effective policing over their force area. The role of the PCC is to be the voice of the people and to hold the police to account. PCCs bring a public voice to policing and they do this by:

• Engaging with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans;

• Ensuring the police force budget is spent where it matters most;

• Appointing the chief constable, holding them to account for delivery of their objectives, and if necessary, dismissing them.