Staffordshire police boss in £232k staff bill

The Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is advertising for a chief of staff, head of commissioning and partnerships, and a policy, performance and communications chief to help run his office.

The former county councillor said the three positions were "absolutely critical" to making a success of his role and that the jobs represented a "small expense" when compared to the difference they would make.

And he said that it would still mean that the overall cost of his office and staff would still be £50,000 less than the annual bill for the police authority he replaced.

He said: "I've got the biggest, most ambitious plan to change every part of the sector that touches community safety, particularly victim support and managing offenders.

"These jobs are absolutely critical, not to maintain the staus quo but in seeing the biggest change in the way crime is dealt with and the way the whole sector joins together."

According to an advert on the Staffordshire Police & Crime Commissioner website, a chief of staff will be paid £85,000. Mr Ellis, is paid £75,000 a year and his deputy, Sue Arnold, only £25,000 a year for three days work a week.

The position of commissioning and partnerships manager will be paid between £64,500 and £73,500 while the head of policy, performance and communications will get between £64,500-£73,500.

It comes after West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones said he would press ahead selecting three unelected assistants, despite objections. He wants the three assistants at a cost of £22,500 a year each for just 10 days work a month.