PCC statement on appointment of Deputy
14.04.20 - Merseyside
Merseyside's Police Commissioner has today responded to the announcement that Phil Davies has withdrawn his interest in the role of Deputy.
Former Wirral Council leader Mr Davies, who was the Commissioner's preferred candidate to take up the role, took the decision after attending a confirmation hearing with the Police and Crime Panel last Thursday (9th April).
The Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, said: “I am most grateful to the Clerk of the Police and Crime Panel who enabled the meeting to take place and to Knowsley Council staff for their hard work in doing so. I am grateful too for the agreement of the Panel to permit a very much shortened process in light of the emergency.
“It is with regret that following his experience at the hearing, Mr Davies has withdrawn his interest in the post. He had agreed to come out of retirement in response to the extraordinary health emergency that the country is facing and because I need support and resilience in my role as Police Commissioner. Sadly, he will not now be doing so and I am placing on record here my gratitude to him for demonstrating his commitment to serving the public of Merseyside in a time of crisis
“In selecting Mr Davies I was delighted to present to the Panel a competent, experienced and articulate candidate who I believed was eminently capable of fulfilling the role.”