Call for longer term for Lambeth's Police Borough Commander

1.41.29pm GMT Mon 9th Mar 2009

Chris Nicholson has written to Mayor Boris Johnson calling for a standard term of at least 4 years for Lambeth's Police Borough Commander. His demand comes following comments by Borough Commander Sharon Rowe on her return to work following a 4 month training course, which make clear that she will be looking to move on from Lambeth as soon as possible.

"It is important for good policing and good community relations that there is continuity in leadership of the police in Lambeth. Constant chopping and changing at the top is not good for the police, for the local community or for our efforts to cut crime in the borough," commented Chris.

Chris says he recognises that individual police officers will want to further their careers but says the flexibilty of their posts should enable that. He says that when Sharon Rowe goes, "her replacement should be recruited with the very clear understanding that he, or she, stays for at least 4 years."