Marc Jones’ choice was blocked though by “issues relating to the probable disclosure of candidates’ information” to the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel, which was meant to approve the new police chief.
After taking legal advice it became clear that it would be complicated, costly and potentially lengthy to address, the PCC said.
Marc Jones said he felt that this would be inappropriate for a public meeting and is determined to protect the integrity of the process and the identity of people who had applied for the role in good faith.
Mr Jones said: “This delay is exceedingly frustrating, but these processes are complex and the guidance extensive.
“It is vital that we follow legislation, which we have done, but also that we can be transparent, without naming candidates publicly on how and why decisions were arrived at.
“I could not put members of the Police and Crime Panel in the intolerable position of having to place information in the public domain that is specific to applicants in the process.
“It is not unheard of to encounter blips in such challenging processes, and I want to make clear that this in no way reflects upon the candidates who took part. They are all very welcome to enter the fresh process.
“However, I could not stand by and permit the possibility of personal information entering the public domain and then being discussed in open forum.
“Allowing such a discussion would have been totally wrong, not something Panel members would have been comfortable with I’m sure, and not something my personal integrity would permit.
“As a result, and after much deliberation, I have concluded that protecting the identity and integrity of individuals who put themselves through this intensive process overrode the need to complete the recruitment process at this point.
“I prudently built in sufficient time to ensure any unforeseen delay would not lead to a gap of leadership for the Force and remain confident that the whole process can be completed within envisaged timescales.
“Consequently, I have decided to restart the process and put robust measures in place to ensure I am not presented with the same issue next time.”
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Schools and universities in Lincolnshire recognise the potential benefits, but also the concerns, over the use of artificial intelligence.
The results of the government’s first ever Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence in Education’ report were published on Tuesday, November 28. It was open for 10 weeks and closed on August 23 this year, with 567 responses received during that time. Most respondents were “broadly optimistic” about the use of GenAI in education.
Almost two months on from Network Rail stating it had implemented “new cleaning regimes” for its railway bridge on Brayford Wharf East, the same concerns of graffiti, dirt and moss growth are continuing — and we are no clearer on how regularly the bridge is cleaned.
The bridge, which opened in 2019 in a bid to improve public safety on the railway crossing, is regularly used by many commuters and residents in Lincoln, but it has been the topic of a cleanliness discussion for many months now.
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