The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 17 July 2025 to conduct a confirmation hearing for the proposed appointment of Dr Fatima Eltinay to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Derbyshire. The panel was scheduled to review the proposed appointment, question Dr Eltinay, and then decide whether to recommend her appointment to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts. Following the hearing, panel members were scheduled to hold a private session to discuss the appointment and agree on their decision and recommendations to Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts.

Confirmation Hearing for Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner

The main item on the agenda was the confirmation hearing for the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. The panel was provided with documentation including a report from Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, outlining the reasons for the proposed appointment of Dr Fatima Eltinay.

According to the agenda, the hearing was to follow a specific procedure:

1. Dr Fatima Eltinay was to be welcomed to the meeting.
2. Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts would have the opportunity to comment on Dr Fatima Eltinay and the proposed appointment.
3. Dr Fatima Eltinay would present her understanding of the role to the Panel.
4. Panel members would then ask questions of both Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts and Dr Fatima Eltinay.
5. Dr Fatima Eltinay would be given the opportunity to clarify her answers and ask questions about the next steps in the process.

The panel was expected to ask questions related to Dr Fatima Eltinay's professional competence and personal independence to evaluate her suitability for the role. The Public Reports Pack included a report from the Director of Legal and Democratic Services outlining the confirmation hearing process, and stating that under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the panel could:

(i) Review the proposed appointment, by holding a Confirmation Hearing within three weeks of notification being given. A 'confirmation hearing' is a meeting of the Panel, held in public, at which the candidate is requested to appear for the purpose of answering questions relating to the appointment;

(ii) Make a report to the Commissioner on the proposed senior appointment;

(iii) Include a recommendation to the Commissioner as to whether or not the candidate should be appointed,

(iv) Publish the report to the Commissioner made under (ii).

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 legislates the role and responsibilities of Police and Crime Commissioners and Police and Crime Panels.

The Public Reports Pack also included a report from Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, which provided:

• The name of the proposed appointee, Dr Fatima Eltinay.
• The criteria used to assess Dr Fatima Eltinay's suitability.
• An explanation of why Dr Fatima Eltinay satisfies those criteria.
• The terms and conditions of the appointment.

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts' report stated that the vacancy had been publicly advertised for four weeks, attracting 22 applications. Shortlisted candidates were asked to deliver a presentation on one of the six priorities from the Derbyshire Police and Crime Plan 2024–2029, outlining how they would support its delivery in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The interview panel consisted of Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Andrew Dale (Chief Operating Officer, OPCC), and Joe Rhodes-Orwin (Head of Strategic Policy and Communications, OPCC). Marie Romano, Monitoring Officer for the OPCC, was also present to ensure the recruitment process was fair and in accordance with internal procedures.

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts provided a statement explaining why Dr Fatima Eltinay was considered suitable for the role, highlighting her background in public health, safeguarding, and trauma-informed care, as well as her leadership as Chair of Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch Association Trust.¹

Dr. Eltinay is a highly accomplished medical professional with a strong background in public health, safeguarding, and trauma-informed care. Her clinical and academic expertise, particularly in the areas of inclusion, health equity, and vulnerability align directly with the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan, especially in relation to supporting victims and addressing the root causes of crime.

Her leadership as Chair of Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch Association Trust has demonstrated her ability to build trusted relationships with the police, local authorities, and community groups. She has shown a deep commitment to community safety, regularly engaging with residents, supporting local initiatives, and advocating for early intervention and prevention.

The Public Reports Pack included Dr Fatima Eltinay's personal statement, which emphasised her commitment to public service, her experience in public health, and her track record in community safety leadership. It also included a job description for the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner role, outlining the purpose, responsibilities, and required skills and experience. The salary for the role was listed as £45,000 per annum for 28 hours per week.

Exclusion of the Public

The agenda included a motion to exclude the public from the meeting to allow panel members to discuss the proposed appointment in private, as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph(s)… of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.