HAMPSHIRE and the Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, was due to reveal his preferred choice as the new chief constable today.

The chosen candidate will then be interviewed by a police and crime panel which will approve or reject Mr Hayes’s decision by January 30.

The new chief will receive a salary of £146,521 – five per cent less than the outgoing Alex Marshall, due to budget cuts. The new chief constable will receive no performance-related bonuses.

However, the person who gets the job will be entitled to claim expenses, up to £40,000 for an official car for travel on duty, a relocation allowance of up to £35,000 and a housing allowance as set out by the Government in police terms and conditions.

Mr Hayes made his choice from a shortlist of four applicants he selected himself.

Mr Marshall is to take on a new role as chief executive of the National College of Policing next month after more than four years as chief constable.