PCC Angus Macpherson selects preferred candidate to be deputy

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has selected his preferred candidate for the new role of Deputy PCC. The appointment has to be confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel which is meeting on Wednesday 1 August. Members will have the opportunity to question Jerry Herbert.

Mr Herbert was one of six candidates assessed for the part-time position out of a total of 21 who applied. 

Mr Macpherson was supported in the day-long assessment process by Baroness Jane Scott, Wiltshire Council leader, Cllr Cathy Martyn, a Swindon Borough Council cabinet member, and Geoff Pears, an independent human resources advisor. 

The six shortlisted candidates had to prepare, and deliver to an invited audience, a presentation about the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan and then answer questions before being interviewed by the four panel members.

Mr Macpherson said: "We had an impressive field of candidates and chose the six strongest applicants to go forward to the assessment day. On the day we saw some first rate presentations and question and answer sessions. 

"I believe that Jerry Herbert will be an excellent deputy. Much of his role will involve engagement with the public because I am keen to give the local communities we serve more say about the police service they receive. Jerry is a skilled communicator who I am confident will interact well with the public. 

"He will be a good listener on my behalf who can help me to address the concerns raised by our communities as well as getting the message across about how we are improving the policing and criminal justice system. I hope that the Police and Crime Panel will decide to confirm Jerry in the post when it meets on Wednesday."

Mr Herbert said: "I am proud and delighted to have been the PCC's choice to be his first deputy and look forward to the confirmation hearing. I am particularly relishing the opportunity to work with local communities, our MPs, councillors and other community leaders to ensure policing and justice is working for local people."

Jerry Herbert's background is in the defence and security sector, in both the public and private sectors. He served in the British Army for more than 30 years. After leaving the Army in 2011 he joined a major UK engineering company as an executive director. In 2017 he set up a specialist business providing consulting support to the defence and security industry. He is married with two adult daughters and lives in Salisbury. 

Mr Herbert will work 14 hours a week and be paid £18,000 pa. It will be a fixed term contract until the next PCC elections in May 2020.
Background notes

The vacancy was advertised via local news websites and social media channels during June.  

The Commissioner said at the time that the deputy would provide strategic advice and insight on a wide range of topics and support him in engaging and consulting with the public.

The role was described as an excellent opportunity for someone with senior experience in governance, who understands the challenges within policing and the criminal justice system.

Since the introduction of PCCs in 2012, the role and responsibilities have been greatly expanded by the Government.
Mr Macpherson said at the time: "I am committed to stepping up engagement and there simply aren't enough hours in the day for me to meet the communities I represent. 

"The estimated population of Wiltshire and Swindon now exceeds 700,000 and it takes seven MPs to represent the people who live here."
Candidates were expected to share the Commissioner's vision and values for successful policing and criminal justice.

Sixteen of the 41 PCCs in England and Wales currently have deputies. The mayors of London and Greater Manchester each have a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.