Fury as police chief planning to use speed cameras to raise cash hiring £30k-a-year DEPUTY
A POLICE chief who plans to use speed cameras on the M1 to raise money for a cash-strapped force is hiring a deputy – with a £30,000-a-year salary.
Olly Martins announced plans to leave speed cameras on in a bid to raise £1million
Olly Martins sparked outrage last week after he threatened to switch on speed cameras permanently in a bid to raise £1million to cover a budget gap.
The Labour commissioner announced the scheme to MPs on Parliament’s Home Affairs select committee.
He said at the time: “I’m now looking at increasing what we raise by maxing out on the speed cameras on the M1.
"Strict enforcement of the speed limit could raise £1million and that’s better than losing 25 more police officers.”
Mr Martins is looking for a £30,000-a-year deputy
But it has now been revealed that the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner is looking for a deputy to work just three days a week.
Mr Martins' office claims that the recruit is required to help tackle the Bedfordshire force's current funding crisis.
Bedfordshire police has a deficit of £1million
There could be no more insensitive or inappropriate time to make this appointment
He also said the move is imperative in case he gets called up as an army reservist - for a post that has been vacant for over a year.
Conservative rival Kathryn Holloway, branded Mr Martins' timing as insensitive.
She said: “Mr Martins is saying the salary can be met from the existing budget while trying to get people to back a petition over an acute shortage of funds.
“There could be no more insensitive or inappropriate time to make this appointment.”
Angry Driver Films Moment He Confronted Speed Camera Operator in Police Van
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin promised to block Mr Martins' plans to permanently turn on M1 speed cameras, labelling the move "yet another example of a Labour politician punishing drivers."
A spokesman for the police commissioner defended the decision to recruit a deputy, claiming it is “designed to boost the capacity to tackle the funding crisis faced by Bedfordshire Police”.
Patrick McLoughlin vowed to halt Mr Martins' plans