TWO police forces were involved in a clash last night over their vision for North-East policing after a tit-for-tat row involving a chief constable.

Paul Garvin, Durham Police's most senior officer, was described as "not the best person to judge the future of policing for decades ahead" on account of his planned retirement in December.

The comments from Councillor Dave McLuckie, the chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, led to a terse response from Durham Police and also caused Mr Garvin to launch an impassioned defence of his background in the police service.

The two men clashed over Mr Garvin's view that only a North-East force - embracing Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria - would have the capacity and capability to meet modern policing demands.

Coun McLuckie, along with Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price, favours a "city region" Tees Valley force combining Cleveland and South Durham. He said Mr Gavin's idea was the "lone voice of someone who is on the verge of retirement and will play no part in whatever new structure is created".

He added: "However distinguished a career he (Mr Garvin) may have had, he may not be the best person to judge the future of policing for decades ahead when he is literally on the verge of retirement.

"His does seem to be the only voice we are hearing in favour of some kind of massive regional force.

"He does not seem to have recognised that the central flaw in his argument, that dividing the current Durham force area between two city regions is not operationally viable, is that this is actually the way his own force is structured - with two north and south areas each with their separate command structures.

"His views certainly contrast with those of our senior officers, not to mention our local authorities and members of Parliament who are firmly behind the city region concept."

Last night, 56-year-old Mr Garvin was sticking to his guns and said he remained perfectly placed to hold such a view.

He has dismissed the Tees Valley plan as a "flight of fantasy that has no operational credibility", largely on the basis that it would not meet the Home Office's requirement for 4,000-strong forces.

Responding to criticism of his suggestion, Mr Garvin said: "Some people are thinking more about their own jobs and their own position rather than thinking about how we can develop the best police service for the public."

The chief constable, who said he expected his successor would share the same views on a single North-East force, said: "I served with Cleveland Police for 20 years and I have been with Durham for the last five, and I wish I was ten years younger so I could be around to implement this northern regional force.

"I feel it will provide the best professional and operational structure and, furthermore, is the only option that fulfils all of the Home Secretary's criteria for change."

Councillor Anne Wright, chairwoman of the Durham Police Authority, said: "The police authority are supportive of the chief constable's stance, and a single North-East police force is also our preferred option.

"Paul Garvin has a tremendous amount of experience and has done a lot of good for the people of Durham and Darlington.

"His views are extremely important and valued by the police authority, regardless of him stepping down in December."

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "When Mr Garvin says what he says he comes from a background of being totally steeped in North-East policing.

"Thirty-four of his 37 years with the police have been spent in the North-East, and he is not a Johnny-come-lately."

Police chiefs have been asked to come up with plans to cut the number of forces in England and Wales from 43 to 30, with the aim of creating forces better able to cope with modern threats such as terrorism and international drug trafficking.

All forces have been asked to provide final proposals to the Home Office by December 23.

A report, backed by Home Secretary Charles Clarke, has suggested that any new forces should be at least 4,000 officers strong.

At present, only Northumbria meets that criteria, with 4,088 officers, while Cleveland (1,772), Durham (1,700) and North Yorkshire (1,556) are among 19 forces that have fewer than 2,000 officers available for duty.