POTENTIAL candidates for the police commissioner role in Essex are effectively being blocked from applying, according to one of those interested in the role.

John Gili-Ross believes Essex Police Authority is failing to publicise the role properly, vetting candidates itself and arranging invitation only events which excludes others.

In November the public will vote for a police and crime commissioner to replace the police authority.

The commissioner will be in charge of policing strategy and priorities while chief constables will retain responsibility for operational matters.

Mr Gili-Ross has complained it was difficult to get access to a meeting about the role held last month.

A spokesman for the authority claimed national guidelines were being followed but even one of its own members expressed surprise that more was not being done.

Candidates for Essex include Labour’s Val Morris-Cook, Tory Nicholas Alston, English Democrat Robin Tilbrook and independent John Gili-Ross.