THE next chief constable of Humberside Police could be announced this week.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove is interviewing three candidates for the £139,119-a-year role tomorrow.
He is expected to announce who he intends to hire later this week.
Mr Grove said: "We have got three excellent and outstanding candidates, so I know we will get a first-class chief constable.
"We will have to see who is the best person on the day."
Two men and one woman are on the shortlist. If the woman was hired, she would become the first female chief officer ever employed by Humberside Police.
All three are currently chief constables or deputy chief constables.
Each will give a presentation and face questions from Mr Grove and a panel of four people during the interviews tomorrow.
Mr Grove said: "The enormity of the responsibility of this one decision is not lost on me.
"This is the most important decision I will make during my three-and-a-half years as commissioner.
"The three candidates are already senior officers, so we will have to differentiate between the best of the best.
"It is quite a challenge and a responsibility.
"I am going to be very, very careful in making my choice and I am fortunate to have a good panel of four independent people to assist me.
"I am planning to make a decision about who I want to employ on the day, and will hopefully be able to announce my decision on Wednesday.
"I want to be able to tell the candidates my decision first and give them time to tell their families.
"This is a big decision for me and it will be for them, too."
Mr Grove's chosen candidate will have to be approved by the police and crime panel, who can veto his choice.
The confirmation hearing – when the panel will question Mr Grove and the candidate – is expected to take place in mid-February.
The successful candidate will replace outgoing chief Tim Hollis, who will retire in March after eight years in charge of the force.
"He has been a truly outstanding chief constable," said Mr Grove.
"He is a very hard act to follow and there are very few people who would disagree with that opinion. The whole area owes him a considerable debt of gratitude."
For the first time, the successful candidate has been told they must relocate to live in the Humberside force area. Mr Hollis lives in South Yorkshire.
The application pack says relocation costs of up to £50,000 will be reimbursed.
They include six months of mortgage interest payment or rent, "domestic fittings", legal fees, removal costs and stamp duty.
Mr Grove said: "I want them to be part of the community. The chief constable holds a very special position and it is only appropriate they should be part of our community."
