Gloucestershire's frontline police officers and staff will get the chance to help choose their new boss.

Police and crime commissioner Martin Surl (pictured) is inviting representatives from every level of the organisation to play a role in selecting the next chief constable.

In addition to the regulation presentations and interview, the recruitment process will include a question and answer event, with an audience made up of members of the Gloucestershire Police family - officers, PCSOs, Specials and support staff - plus representatives from many of the groups and organisations the post holder will be working with on a daily basis.

Each candidate will be asked to give a brief presentation about their career in policing, how they have been shaped by their experiences, why they are applying for the role and what they can bring to the constabulary / county. Members of the audience will then have the opportunity to question them on any aspect of what they have heard.

Mr. Surl said: "One of the most important decisions - some might say it is the most important - a police and crime commissioner has to make is the appointment of a chief constable.

"My vision for the Constabulary depends on a leader who cares about the communities we serve and the workforce he or she leads. It will be someone who can enthuse and empower others and champion organisational transformation in the face of diminishing resources."

Gloucestershire Constabulary is currently headed by temporary chief constable Rod Hansen, who was appointed following the retirement of the county's first woman chief constable, Suzette Davenport, in April.

Punchline says, while we can see the merits of the idea, recruiting a chief constable is a serious business and shouldn't be reduced to an XFactor-style competition.

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