The IOPC have considered my letter of complaint that was referred to them by the local Police and Crime Board.
Having considered the substance of my letter they have referred it back to the local board for determination.
They essentially give two reasons, firstly that the provisions of the Localism Act do not apply to Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners. This means that, I, as a local councillor, am held to a higher standard than the PFCC who sets policy for law enforcement in the county.
They also seem to buy some of the stated excuses from Mr Mold for his rapid appointment. The point, that the seem to miss, is unless there is an investigation as to the full extent of the relationship between Mr Mold and Ms Marzec, it is difficult to know if there is misconduct. If they are friends that may not be the case. If they are more than friends that would be very different. The rumours need to be investigated and dismissed as tittle tattle or substantiated. It is in the interests of all that this happens, as it stands, without a full investigation the tongues will continue to wag.
So in this game of ping pong, it is back to the local Northants Panel to now take my complaint to its conclusion.
