LANCASHIRE’S Chief Constable, who faces having to axe 1,000 staff, has been handed £52,000 to buy a new company car.
Steve Finnigan’s decision to order a Jaguar XJ comes just days after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the force was anticipating making 1,000 job losses amid cost-cutting of £45million.
Unions said they hoped Mr Finnigan, who earns a basic £142,600 a year, had thought ‘long and hard’ about the decision. But he defended the move, pointing to the fact that he had declined a bonus this year and was due a new company vehicle.
John O’Reilly, from the Lancashire Police Federation, said: “This is part of his salary agreement and his car was due for renewal every three years. I just hope he considered it along with all of the other issues in relation to the current cutbacks.”
Police said Mr Finnigan was entitled to £52,350, including VAT, under the senior officer car scheme, although he will also be investing some of his own money in the car.
Mr Finnigan said: “I am sensitive to the current financial position and, as such, have declined my bonus this year. My current car is due for renewal and I will continue to pay a personal contribution towards it as I have always done.”
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