Firefighter to scrutinise police

Barry Dixon . . . experience will be an asset.

A HIGHLY-decorated fireman has switched emergency services to help the police.

Barry Dixon (59), who spent seven years as Greater Manchester’s Chief Officer, has joined the ranks of Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA).

He fought off opposition from 10 others to fill the current Independent Member vacancy.

Mr Dixon, who was station officer at Chadderton in the 1970s before he rose through the ranks to become fire chief in 2002, holds the Queen’s Fire Service Medal and is a CBE. He retired in 2009.

He said: “It’s a bit of a change going from firefighter to police force scrutiny, but I’m really pleased to have been successful and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.

“I spent 42 years in the fire and rescue service so I’ve got a good idea what it’s like being on the sharp end of operational work in the emergency services.

“I think this insight will be a real asset when it comes to challenging and scrutinising Greater Manchester Police.”

Mr Dixon, from Prestwich, replaces Gloria Oates who lost her battle against cancer last year.

Some of the work he will be involved in includes setting the budget for Greater Manchester Police, deciding Force priorities, scrutinising all aspects of policing and consulting with local people about important police issues.

The father-of-two added: “I think it’s important to put something back into the community and that’s why I applied to become a GMPA Independent Member — it provides a real opportunity to influence policing on behalf of everyone.

“I realise this is no easy job, particularly in these times of financial uncertainty, but I’m no stranger to challenge and I am 100-per-cent committed.”