THE chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority is stepping down after three years in the post.

Stuart Nagler has announced he will not be seeking re-election when the authority’s AGM takes place next Friday, May 27.

He said he wanted to give the chance for his successor to work with the incoming chief constable to “prepare for the changes ahead”.

Mr Nagler said: “There is never a right time to stand down and the decision was not an easy one to make.

“However, I feel that now is the time for change and to give others the opportunity to take the helm, expand their experience and work with our new chief constable, Andy Bliss, to prepare for the changes ahead.

“I feel very passionate about policing in Hertfordshire and my belief is that this will help in the transfer of public accountability from the police authority to a directly-elected police and crime commissioner.”

Mr Nagler joined the authority in 2003.

As chairman, he holds a number of national roles, and intends to continue to chair the Regional Police Authority Collaboration body.

The ex-special constable and former mayor of Hertsmere will also remain as the eastern region representative on the Association of Police Authorities main board.