Staffordshire Police and Crime Panel - Confirmation Hearing - Proposed appointment of Emma Barnett to the post of Temporary Chief Constable for Staffordshire

Report of the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel (The Panel) to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire (PFCC)

With regard to:

Staffordshire Police and Crime Panel - confirmation hearing - proposed appointment of Emma Barnett to the post of temporary Chief Constable for Staffordshire

As required under Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, I write to inform you of the Staffordshire Police Fire and Crime Panel’s recommendation with regard to your proposal to appoint Emma Barnett as temporary Chief Constable for Staffordshire.

The Panel held a confirmation hearing on Monday 21 June 2021 and received a report from you on the process you followed for the temporary post and your plans to appoint a permanent post in the near future.

Emma Barnett gave us a summary of her career to date and we went on to ask questions which were designed to help us determine her ‘professional competence’ and ‘personal independence’. We adopted these two themes following nationally recognised guidance on confirmation hearings. Emma Barnett had been given prior knowledge of the format for the hearing.

Emma Barnett was questioned on a variety of subjects ranging from visible policing and community engagement, to the Force’s handling of the pandemic. We felt that her answers were decisive, honest, and showed a clear understanding of the issues facing the Staffordshire Force as the pandemic demands and challenges evolve.

The panel carefully considered the information provided by you and the responses given by Emma Barnett to our questions. We felt that her experience with other police authorities demonstrated strong leadership and knowledge particularly in the area of neighbourhood policing. We were also impressed with the way that she had helped to pull together partners during the resent pandemic and the concern and commitment expressed over the effects this had had on staff.

The panel therefore recommends that you should proceed with the appointment of Emma Barnett as Temporary Chief Constable for Staffordshire.

On behalf of the panel I would like to wish Emma Barnett every success in the role.

Yours sincerely

Councillor B Peters

Chairman
Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel