By Nick Griffiths Crime reporter

Last updated at 13:08, Friday, 26 October 2012

The watchdog that monitors Cumbria’s police force is poised to hold its final meeting next week before it is abolished and replaced by a crime commissioner.

Members of the county’s police authority will gather officially for full public discussions for the last time before elections are held next month for the new post.

The authority, made up of a mix of councillors, magistrates and independent members, currently oversees the work of the Cumbria force.

Its role includes setting the constabulary’s budget, hiring the chief constable and other senior officers and monitoring performance.

It meets regularly in public, both with all members present and in sub-committees. The authority will stay as the force’s governing body until November 22 but its last public meeting will be on Tuesday at 10am.

Ray Cole, authority chairman, said it had challenged and scrutinised the force for 18 years. “Authority members have worked relentlessly on behalf of the people of Cumbria to ensure the most efficient and effective service has been delivered to keep Cumbria safe,” he added.

“A significant amount of background work has taken place to ensure a smooth transition to the new structure and I trust that the good work by the police authority is built upon for the benefit of the people of Cumbria.”

Four candidates are vying for the role in Cumbria – Conservative Richard Rhodes, Labour’s Patrick Leonard, Liberal Democrat Pru Jupe and Mary Robinson, who is standing as an Independent.

The election is being held on November 15.

The final meeting is at Carleton Hall, Penrith.

First published at 13:04, Friday, 26 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk