“Not really how it works, but you are entitled to your opinion.”

“Chappy1884. Reading today's news it appear the pyramids are being built already. Friends of commissioners are already boarding the gravy train. Not me just reporting with pictures of the party and friends. Cost unknown.”

“dissident3 believe what you like, these so called friends are stakeholders of some sort, they are probably involved in quite a lot of negotiations and work in the various organisations you mention. I am not saying back handers don't happen, but what you perceive and what really happens aren't necessarily the same or even similar. Unless you speak from a position of insider knowledge, in which case as a whistle blower your position is already compromised so you might as well spill the beans.”

“Chappy1884 I can assure you I was treated to a very clear insight into how it works, then how then conspire to silence anyone who dares to question their actions. That includes Police, Church and politicians in the highest office and pay offs to buy silence. Still provable.”

“The government have done no favours putting more responsibility in the hands of local councils. We still have the new localised funding of council tax to come in 2013,. The police comissioner was the governments idea, not the local councils..It seems to me the government want to shirk as much responsibility to a local level as is possible..we cant blame the council for feeling the need to take on more admin staff to oversea the new policies.”

“*oversee* not oversea..sorry for my spelling :/”

“quite right Mam. The PCC is a firewall for the home office.
Like I said dissident3, if you have irrefutable proof of a top heavy structure manipulating the public trust and purse to it's will, applying pressure, material incentives and underhand practices to promote it's own interests then you should speak out and get it published.

After all you can only be sued if you make a false claim. Provided your allegations are water tight you have nothing to fear, in fact you have a duty to report them.”

“May I suggest you read the reports of Commissioners with more than one job and setting on deputies and staff.”

“dissident3, any full time public servant requires ministerial approval to conduct any form of part time of full time employment which may encroach on their civic duties.

Ministerial approval may be delegated to Staff - level and regulated at line manager level.
As the PCC's work only one level below Ministers - their Staff level and Line Manager level is the same - i.e. The Home Office. So they need direct ministerial approval.

If they own their own business, or run a b&b or make Christmas cards in their spare time, and it is non interfering they can declare it a hobby. But any work which takes them away from their core employment interest - such as a second full time job, or even contracted hours as a consultant has to be declared and approved.

This is easy to research - almost as easy as making the allegation of having staff to cover their absences - without first doing the research.
If people made allegations, had an inquiry, which uncovered that everything was above board, then a lot of time would be wasted. Time which you as a tax payer are paying for. And time where the PCC could be at least having a go at making the role work.

A house of cards based on rocky foundations will fall eventually, even if the cards are perfectly placed. There is no need to keep blowing it, because every time someone makes an unfounded or badly researched accusation or allegation - it merely serves to strengthen the integrity of the accused, and consolidate their position. If it's going to fail - leave it and let them be judged on their mistakes rather than perceived misgivings.”