THE LINCOLNSHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner has publicly criticised his own role and expressed doubts it will exist in the future.
Alan Hardwick was elected the first ever commissioner in November, as what he called the Government's "guinea pig", he told the Louth Seniors Forum, yesterday.
At Louth Town Hall, he said the Government "didn't know how much power they were giving one person", when asked if his decisions can be vetoed.
He added: "Who knows how long it will last but if the position continues beyond this term, I think they will take some away rather than give any more."
But despite being unsure of the long-term, he did promise that the number of officers would not be cut in the near future.
He added: "I'm afraid if I'm realistic they are unlikely to rise but they will not fall any more over the next two years."
Mr Hardwick also talked of the value of volunteers, claiming that "no force outside the Metropolitan" can afford to effectively police their area without them. He talked of having volunteer mounted PCSOs to police more rural areas of Lincolnshire, which he claims has been a successful policy "down south".
Although he did quip that his deputy had warned him about making decisions "on the hoof".
When he opened the floor for questioning, Mr Hardwick attracted criticism for the controversial decision to suspend Chief Constable Neil Rhodes – later quashed by a judge, who called it "irrational and perverse".
"I have launched an investigation, which is now being conducted independently and I hope it will be complete within weeks," he said.
One forum member pointed out conflicting information he had heard – that Lincolnshire was one of the safest counties to live in yet has some of the most dangerous roads in the country.
Mr Hardwick said: "It is one of the safest places to live with regards to criminality, but roads are a different matter.
"We have more than 5,000 miles of B roads and I would love to double the number of cars we have on them and increase visibility – but the Government will not give us the resources to do it."
Another forum member asked if licensing laws could be changed because she believes alcohol is responsible for a high proportion of the force's costs.
Mr Hardwick, who "doesn't drink beer", said he's looking into a policy used in Ipswich, banning the sale of some high-strength drinks.
He added: "The problem is that it would have to be led by the outlets that sell the alcohol."
Mr Hardwick was asked if Lincolnshire Police were paid for making reality TV shows.
The commissioner, who used to be a TV presenter, assured him that the force gets a fee to take part – and that being involved did not interfere with their duties.
