THE Home Office says it is confident there is no shortage of high calibre candidates for top policing roles – even though two of the region’s chief constables are set to permanently appointed without competition.

In the past week both Mike Barton and Jacqui Cheer, the temporary chief constables of Durham and Cleveland police respectively, have been recommended for permanent positions.

In both cases they were the only candidates to apply and be interviewed for the job.

The situation has similarities with that of Mr Barton’s predecessor in Durham, Jon Stoddart, who in 2006 was the only person to be interviewed for the top job, having already been in temporary charge.

That decision to interview a sole candidate was criticised by among others, Middlesbrough Mayor and former detective superintendent Ray Mallon.

Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said the process had been legal and proper, adding: “There are so many temporary chief constables up and down the country that many people are not applying  because they believe the sitting tenant is going to get the job.

“You cannot force people to apply and we are not the only force to have had a single applicant.”

Barry Coppinger, Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “A number of people expressed an interest, but Jacqui Cheer was the only formal applicant.

“There are about 14 chief constable vacancies across the country at the moment so it is not surprising that there were not a large number of people coming forward.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The British police are among the best in the world and we are confident there is no shortage of high calibre candidates for any vacant chief constable roles.”