Colonel For Commissioner

A former Army Colonel, who served in the Iraq war, wants to become Kent's new Police and Crime Commissioner.

Colonel Tim Collins, who became famous for his inspirational eve-of-battle address to his men in the Royal Irish Regiment, has applied to be a candidate for one of the new directly-elected roles being created in forces across England and Wales.

The controversial commissioners will have the power to hire and fire chief constables as they replace the existing police authorities, which are made up of councillors and independent members.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Col Collins, who lives in Kent, said: "This is a job for someone energetic and who is willing to work with the chief constable.

"It is important that it doesn't become just a talking shop for knackered old policemen or a sunset gig for some trough-loving councillor.''

The former Army officer, who served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq before quitting in 2004, said he was inspired by the achievements of New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

He also said he wants to make more use of special constables.