The chairman of Leicestershire Police Authority said he doubts Government plans for elected commissioners will bring forces closer to the public.

Barrie Roper, a Conservative member of Rutland County Council, spoke out after the Government announced its intention to scrap police authorities and replace them with boards of elected people.

The move, planned for May 2012, is part of a package of measures which the Government believes will make the police more accountable to the public.

Critics believe the move could politicise policing and say the Government's plans do not make clear the degree of influence which commissioners would have over their chief constables.

Police authorities bring together local councillors, magistrates and independent people to scrutinise the day-to-day running of police forces.

They also set force budgets, including Council Tax payers' contribution to policing, and hire senior officers.

In a wide ranging set of proposals for policing, Home Secretary Theresa May said on Monday elected chiefs – to be known as commissioners – would perform the same roles but ensure chief constables were "aware of grassroots concerns."

She said: "For too long, people have been faced with crime levels that are too high and a police service that has been too focused on Whitehall targets to really get to grips with what matters locally.

"Police have become too disconnected from the people they are there to serve."

Mr Roper said the police authority and the force had a good track record of responding to people's concerns.

He said: "They have made it clear they intend to change the face of policing by replacing police authorities with elected people.

"The service the people of Leicestershire receive is first class. I find it very hard to accept these locally-elected individuals would make any significant difference.

"I will be watching this process as it takes shape and when the change comes, despite being opposed to it, I will do everything I can to make sure the force is fit for purpose."

Dave Grenz, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, which represents the force's 2,000-plus officers, said officers would welcome proposals to cut bureaucracy.

However, he said: "We have more questions than answers about the elected commissioners because that level of detail doesn't seem to be there at the moment.

"But we would want to know what will the relationship be between the elected person and the chief constable? Who will be running the force?"

Shadow home secretary Alan Johnson said the cost of elected commissioners had been estimated at £50 million and labelled the proposal an "unnecessary, unwanted and expensive diversion".

The Home Secretary's proposals also tied in with Prime Minister David Cameron's Big Society campaign.

This includes more opportunities to get involved in keeping neighbourhoods safe.

It will also provide more opportunities for people to volunteer with the police service and criminal justice system.

The Government proposals will be scrutinised by the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is chaired by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz.

Mr Vaz said: "I certainly have some concerns, for example regarding the potential for the politicisation of the police."