By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
The proposed chief executive of Nottinghamshire’s police commissioner’s office says she has experience helping forces out of special measures.
Michelle Buttery has been recommended for the senior role, which pays up to £112,000 per year, helping to hold Nottinghamshire Police to account.
She appeared before the Police and Crime Panel for job interview-style questioning on Tuesday.
She has served as the interim CEO for Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner since February.
PCC Gary Godden (Lab) said she is the “highest calibre”, and asked for the panel’s backing to appoint her permanently.
Nottinghamshire Police was placed in special measures – known as ‘Engage’ status – by a watchdog earlier this year over concerns about its investigations and handling of victims.
Ms Buttery previously spent ten years in the same role for South Yorkshire, which has faced similar challenges.
The CEO is a non-partisan role which is responsible for setting the direction of the office and delivering the force’s Police and Crime Plan.
“The force will need to be on an improvement journey over the next three years. I am well placed having experienced same in South Yorkshire,” she told the panel.
“There is the opportunity to improve and have a strengthened force.”
South Yorkshire Police went from being rated Requires Improvement in 2018 to Outstanding in three areas today.
Ms Buttery said: “We will look at where in our area trust and confidence is lower [in police] than we would like, and see where we need to put our resources to change that.”
She said she also brought good relationships with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice from her previous role to help applying for funding.
She also addressed questions that the public feel the PCC office is a ‘waste of money’ which would be better spent on the frontlines.
“If the public feel like that, need to do better job of communicating the PCC role and responsibilities. The needs to be governance and accountability, and the public doesn’t always appreciate the range of services it offers,” she said.
The panel will now make a recommendation on whether Ms Buttery should get the job, which Mr Godden can choose whether to follow.
A confirmation hearing for Nottingham Councillor Anglea Kandola as Mr Godden’s deputy was unexpectedly cancelled earlier in the day to allow more “checks and due diligence.”
It is expected to resume in September.
