Staffordshire police boss accused of building an empire
Staffordshire's new police boss has been accused of "empire building at the taxpayers' expense" after announcing plans to recruit three new staff at a cost of up to £232,000.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is advertising for a chief of staff – who would be on a higher wage than himself, a head of commissioning and partnerships, as well as a policy, performance and communications chief to help run his office.
Mr Ellis says he needs professionals to manage £30 million savings while improving the force. He also says the chief of staff role is replacing an outgoing employee, who is believed to have been paid a similar salary, so new costs are nearer £147,000.
Critics have however said the costs of new posts are 'out of proportion'.
Cannock Chase Council's Labour leader George Adamson said: "This is empire building at the taxpayers' expense.
"It is not acceptable when this money could have been spent on frontline policing. If this was a Labour man in the same position I'd still be upset."
Conservative MP for South Staffordshire Gavin Williamson added: "I'm pleased to see overall this is going to be cheaper than the old police authority system, but it does raise concerns about people being employed on inflated salaries.
"I do think it is bonkers to be paying people so much money, and to pay one person more money than the person running the whole department.
"It seems out of proportion."
Retired Detective Constable Trevor Williams, who spent 18 years in Stafford's CID, aged 79, added: "The mind boggles.
"People want to see more police where they can see them. This is gross."
Former county councillor Mr Ellis insisted taxpayers would see the long-term benefits of the new recruits.
He said: "No one wants a bunch of amateurs doing this. Every Government minister is paid less than many civil servants working for him, that has always been the way.
"I am employing people at the bottom end of the scale which means the cheapest possible cost for the taxpayer to bring in a team that can transform the whole sector.
"In total the office will have six people looking after a £200m budget, who are professionals who can actually manage to save £30m."
Leader of the Conservative group in Cannock Chase Councillor Paul Snape added: "I believe we need these roles or the commissioner would not be bringing them in."
