Re-election for Police Authority chairman

Leicestershire Police Authority has re-elected Barrie Roper to serve as chairman as it enters its final chapter.

Members of the Authority unanimously agreed Mr Roper should remain at the helm of the organisation to provide stability and continuity during the transition to the new governance structure later this year. Mr Roper, who has been a member of the Authority since 2003 and enters his third year as chair, will lead the organisation until November 21 when it is officially replaced by Leicestershire's first directly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner.

The decision was taken at Leicestershire Police Authority's final AGM yesterday (Tuesday 26 June) during which members also re-elected Uday Dholakia as the vice chairman.

Speaking of his re-appointment, Mr Roper, who is also a member of Rutland County Council, said: "I feel very privileged to be able to continue as chairman of the police authority during this very important time and would like to thank my colleagues for their continuing support and confidence.

"The Authority's role may soon be coming to an end but the next five months are arguably the most critical in our history as we build the foundations for what will be one of the biggest policing reforms in decades. For this reason, the hard work and preparation will continue in the weeks ahead to ensure we not only protect our legacy and maintain performance but also hand over the best possible structure for the incoming PCC.

"There is a substantial amount of groundwork still to be undertaken between now and November to ensure we have the right people in the right places to guarantee a smooth and effective transition. There is absolutely no room for complacency and we will continue to juggle these demands and others, including the tough economic climate, to safeguard performance and remain focused on our key priority - to reduce crime and deliver the best possible service to Leicestershire residents."

In addition to his role as Authority chairman, Mr Roper also chairs the Transition Board, overseeing the work to hand over governance to the incoming Commissioner, the Strategic Planning and Co-ordination Board, the Remuneration Committee and the Liaison Panel. He also represents the Authority on the Rutland Community Safety Partnership