LANCASHIRE'S Chief Constable could be in line for Britain's top police job.

Pauline Clare has been tipped as one of the candidates being considered by Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw for the post of Scotland Yard's first woman Deputy Commissioner.

That would pave the way for her to become Metropolitan Police Commissioner in the future.

The vacancy has arisen following last week's promotion of the current Deputy Commissioner, John Stevens.

Mr Stevens and Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw are in favour of appointing a woman to the deputy's post, which will be advertised next month.

The job, which lasts for a five-year term, carries a salary of up to £112,000.

Psychology graduate Mrs Clare, 51, became Britain's first female Chief Constable four years ago.

She has never served in the Metropolitan Police.

She suffered a setback last September when a damning report by Government inspectors criticised the "mismanagement" of widespread changes introduced under Mrs Clare's leadership, including reducing the force from 14 divisions to six and changes to the management structure to allow more bobbies on the beat.

The report said it supported the need for change but attacked the speed at which the reforms were introduced.

A follow-up report praised the force for its efforts to solve the problems.

Elizabeth Neville, who became Chief Constable of Wiltshire two years ago, is also thought to be in the running for the position.

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