THE chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority, who announced his resignation this week, has raised concerns about the prospect of a directly elected police commissioner.

If the coalition Government gets its way, police authorities, which fund, manage and hold police forces to account, will be scrapped and replaced with directly elected police commissioners.

If the plans go ahead, Hertfordshire’s 17 police authority members – a mixture of councillors and independent community representatives – would be replaced in May 2012 by just one person.

Once elected, the police commissioner would work to ensure Hertfordshire Constabulary implements its policies and priorities.

Mr Nagler, who has been chairman since 2008, will remain a member of the authority, but has raised concerns about the proposed changes.

He said: “Can one person hold the chief constable to account and represent the views of one million people in this county? There are real concerns about these proposals.

“I also think there is a danger of more politicisation. Will somebody feel that they have to look to their electorate before making decisions? One also wonders how minority groups will also be dealt with by just one person.”

Mr Nagler, who is also chairman of trustees at The Peace Hospice in Watford, also raised concerns that independent candidates – free of ties to the main three political parties – will effectively be priced out of running for office.

He added: “I have always been non-political, but I could not afford to run as an independent because I can’t afford to send a leaflet to every house in Hertfordshire. But I do hope that a bill will emerge which will deliver what people want – strong policing and accountability.

The Government’s reforms, however, have been stalled by the House of Lords, which has echoed many of Mr Nagler’s concerns and so far refused to give its backing to the proposals. It has suggested instead a system where commissioners were appointed and not elected.

Mr Nagler intends to continue as chairman of the Regional Police Authority Collaboration body. He also will remain as a regional representative on the Association of Police Authorities main board and continue his work with the Peace Hospice.