I will work for half price, vows Police Commissioner candidate (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

A candidate for Cleveland Police Commissioner

5:29pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Chris Webber, Reporter (Stockton/Hartlepool)

A CANDIDATE for one of the region's newly created police commissioner jobs has vowed to work for half price if he wins.

Green Party candidate for Cleveland Police Commissioner Joe Michna said he would work for £35,000 instead of the proposed £70,000 salary.

The Middlesbrough councillor said his pledge had proven popular.

He said: "I really believe that in these difficult financial times, when all public sector organisations, including the Police, are having to cope with reductions in income and when employees are being made redundant, that elected representatives should show solidarity with hard pressed families.

"Elected representatives should show solidarity and lead by example by not accepting unreasonably high salaries and allowance. £35,000 is more than a ‘liveable salary’ and is a lot more than many people earn."

The election will be held on Thursday, November 15. Other candidates are Barry Coppinger for Labour, Ken Lupton, for the Conservatives and Sultan Alam, Independent.