PCC found out about abolition by WhatsApp

'IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE'

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

HUMBERSIDE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jonathan Evison (Conservative) found out his role was being abolished by a WhatsApp message from a colleague. Mr Evison stated this at the latest Humberside Police and Crime Panel, the first since it was announced all PCCs will go when their terms end in 2028.

The Humberside PCC, in the elected role since 2021, told the panel he “will look on with interest from the beach that I’m going to be sitting on in two-and-a-half years’ time” how what replaces him will work. It is not certain what that will be.

However, the panel heard it is likely to be a board of between four and 11 members, involving representation from the different councils in the Humberside region, the two regional Mayors, and up to two co-opted members. This would then appoint a local policing lead.

There may also be a host local authority for the board. The Office for Police and Crime Commissioner’s (OPCC) chief executive, Rachel Cook, stated that colleagues “are working directly with the Home Office” to try and work out the transition arrangements for the changeover.