Cheshire Police Commissioner Under Fire

The Nantwich and Crewe Chronicle published this article of interest recently. Commissioner Keane is to speak at the next Audlem Probus meeting so hopefully will enlighten us on the background

Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has come under fire for increasing the salary of the deputy commissioner's post by 33% and appointing a Labour councillor he has known for 20 years to the role.

Commissioner David Keane (Lab) appointed Salford councillor Sareda Dirir as his deputy earlier this month on a salary of £50,000.

The previous deputy, who was appointed under former Police Commissioner John Dwyer (Con) in 2012, earned £22,500 based on an average three days a week, meaning her pro rata salary was £37,500.

Mr Keane was grilled about Ms Dirir's appointment on Friday by members of the cross-party Cheshire Police and Crime Panel.

Panel members accused the commissioner of 'keeping them in the dark' over the fact he had known Ms Dirir for 20 years – something she disclosed to them during a confirmation hearing last month.

Ms Dirir's parents are Labour councillors representing the same ward as Mr Keane (Lab) on Warrington Borough Council.

And panel members were furious they have never been given a copy of her personal statement or even a CV.

Cllr Andrew Dawson (Chester West and Chester, Con) referred to the lack of paperwork and then said: "And I've learned subsequent... of the extensive relationship – that was the word she used – between the Dirir family and yourself over many years. Now that worries me."

He said Mr Keane had signed up to policies regarding conflict of interest and use of resources.

"You have signed to say that you have agreed not to use the resources of the commissioner for your personal benefit or for the benefit of yourself, your friends or persons in relation to any business interest of yours. I'm mindful of the longstanding relationship you have with the Dirir family," said Cllr Dawson.

Panel chairman Cllr Howard Murray (Cheshire East, Con) said: "It's how it appears to a reasonable person or the public. The public have seen that webcast of the confirmation hearing and I can tell you, and you know this, you know the public have reacted very badly to that lack of transparency.

"It is the perception of your office, it is the perception of your integrity and your judgement. This worries us because you have such a fundamental part to play in the efficiency of the constabulary and the safety of the people of Cheshire."

Panel vice chairman Bob Fousert asked the commissioner how he could justify the salary hike for the new deputy.

Mr Keane said he had advertised the post and everything had been open, transparent and competitive.

"That kind of competitive nature does need to attract the right kind of candidate for the right kind of job," he said, adding the previous salary had been set in 2012 and it was now 2017. He said there were also additional responsibilities now.

With regard to why he had not given the panel Ms Dirir's CV or personal statement and why he had not informed the panel that he had known Ms Dirir and her parents for 20 years, the commissioner said: "I'm fully assured, and I took relevant advice and made declarations at every stage of the process, that that process was completely open and completely transparent and completely proper."

He said he would not dream of acting in a way that was not open and transparent.

The commissioner added: "At the end of that confirmation hearing meeting, for whatever reason, the panel did feel able in recommending that candidate for appointment."

Cllr Murray said the panel had no option.

"This panel has no power of veto over your appointee. You could indeed have appointed your mother," said Cllr Murray. "As long as that person was not a criminal and not insane or criminally insane then this panel would have approved them, because that's what it says."

Panel members pressed Mr Keane to publish all paperwork in relation to Ms Dirir's appointment as his deputy.

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