An FBU petition calling for the resignation of Northamptonshire’s police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) Stephen Mold had gathered more than 650 signatures as Firefighter went to press.
In July, Mold made his own staffer Nicci Marzec, who has no experience of firefighting, interim chief fire officer. Following a public outcry, she resigned from all posts. Mold remained in office.
On 27 July, local FBU members rallied outside a meeting of the county’s police, fire and crime panel, calling for Mold to be held to the “highest account”.
Two councillors on the panel, applauded by firefighters, walked out in protest at his failure to consult over the appointment.
The panel has taken no action to date. Most fire services are overseen by a fire authority of elected representatives, instead of an individual PFCC.
Ben Selby, FBU assistant general secretary, said events in Northamptonshire happened as a result of the introduction of the PFCC position “hollowing out democratic scrutiny”.
The FBU has called on Chris Philp, minister of state for crime, policing and fire, to ensure this never happens again by scrapping the PFCC model.
■ Petition at: bit.ly/ Northants-PFCC-must-go
