DORSET'S independent elected police chief has blasted Bournemouth's Conservative mayor for "a worrying ignorance" of policing matters and being politically motivated.

Martyn Underhill has written to Cllr John Adams branding his actions "unacceptable and distasteful" and has reported him for a breach of protocol.

Cllr Adams is also the chairman of Dorset's Police and Crime Panel which scrutinises the work and plans of the police commissioner.

The row erupted after Cllr Adams wrote to the Daily Echo saying Mr Underhill had to justify claims he made at a public meeting last week that government funding cuts could mean the loss of hundreds of frontline staff.

"He does have other options," he wrote in the letter published last Friday.

He added that the police and crime panel "welcome the public's views on the decisions of the PCC."

The next PCC elections are in May - less than nine months away.

In a letter to Cllr Adams, an angry Mr Underhill responds: "Your language clearly suggests you are ignorant of the briefings you have received as a panel on the drive to reduce the estate footprint, to collaborate across the region (and beyond) on reducing procurement costs, on regionalising functions such as forensics, and so-on.

"You fail to mention....that I oversee a force that is debt free, with minimal but adequate reserves, without a cliff-edge pension liability and offering value for money (according to HMIC and our external auditors). You are also briefed that I have lobbied extensively for a re-balance of the funding formula which, if approved, looks set to benefit Dorset considerably.

"Additionally, your letter displays a disturbing and worrying ignorance of the issues facing policing across the UK with PCC’s and Chief Constables all over the country announcing future police staffing cuts following predicted further cuts of at least 25% from Government funding in December."

He says he believes the intervention is a "politically motivated and timed statement" and adds: "I am afraid your irresponsible, party political and unacceptable actions have badly damaged the trust between the PCC and the panel. This will have huge implications. Those implications will include all information sharing and cooperation that I have previously agreed to."

Mr Underhill says he wants a public explanation from Cllr Adams about his comments as chair of the non-political scrutiny committee and his role as politically neutral ceremonial mayor.

After that, Cllr Adams wrote back to Mr Underhill saying that "I most fundamentally disagree with your assertions that my previous correspondence on the subject of Police funding was party political or indeed showed ignorance.

"It is absolutely my role and that of the Panel to ensure the Police and Crime Commissioner is running an effective and efficient Police Force and it is disappointing to hear of your ill conceived understanding of this. Indeed I would go as far to say it is you Mr Underhill who is ignorant of the facts.  

"As Chairman of the Police and Crime Panel myself and my fellow Members are most definitely aware of the issues surrounding the funding of Dorset Police and the truth is you have been irresponsible in scaremongering the public with talk of widespread cuts in frontline officers when there are other options available to you.

"I stand by my views as Chairman of the Panel as I strongly believe it is in the best interests of the public to know the true picture. This does not make me party political, it is my role.

"Furthermore I do not think it is prudent or indeed responsible to continue these discussions in such a public arena and heartily offer the invitation for us to meet to discuss further.  I trust this will be taken up in the true spirit to which it is intentioned."