Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews, has attended the official appointment of his preferred candidate, Councillor Ajmer Kaur (Rani) Mahal (Con) to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

Speaking to members of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel at their meeting last week, the Commissioner Matthews said: "Councillor Rani Mahal is a district councillor representing Glen ward at Harborough District Council where she has lived with her husband, three children and one grandchild for over twenty years.

"A director of her family business, Rani plays an active role in the business community across the city and county. During her time as a parish councillor, she assisted with the plans to provide a skate park for the youngsters of Great Glen, and has organised and supported a wide range of fundraising initiatives for various causes and serves on the Board of a local hospice.

"I request the panel endorse this choice of Councillor Rani Mahal as the new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland."

The first part of the hearing was conducted in public, and after the candidate was welcomed the Commissioner made his comments about her and the proposed appointment. Councillor Mahal then had an opportunity to present to the panel her understanding of the role, with the panel asking questions of the Commissioner and the candidate relating to her professional competence and personal independence, enabling the members to evaluate her suitability for the role.

The panel then went into closed session in order to decide on its recommendations to the commissioner regarding the appointment of his preferred candidate to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. They discussed whether the candidate has the professional competence to exercise the role and whether the panel feels that the candidate has the personal independence to exercise the role.

On 30 November 2022, the panel received formal notification from the Commissioner of his proposal to appoint Councillor Mahal to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. This appointment is a permanent appointment, and therefore it is subject to the public scrutiny that is required as part of a proposed senior appointment within the meaning of Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Speaking after the hearing Cllr Mahal said: "I have met Rupert's team and can see how committed they are to delivering on behalf of the public and I am looking forward to working with the Commissioner and his Office to deliver on his vision for a safer Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland."

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Councillor Rani Mahal will officially take up her role at the end of December 2022.