With DNA and other biometric data fast replacing Victorian-era fingerprint records comes the increasing need for the ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) to get the right balance between protecting the public from criminals and ensuring access to - and management of - such sensitive data is carefully controlled.
Strong leadership is therefore vital, and detective superintendent Gary Linton has it in droves. Some 85% of staff have a great deal of faith in him and 77% find him inspirational.
These are not figures plucked simply from staff engagement surveys. The shortlist for the Most People Focused CEO - Public Sector award was developed in conjunction with workplace engagement specialist Best Companies from companies that feature in Best Companies' public-sector database.
The ranking is based on two considerations: those who scored highest in its surveys on three questions related to the leader directly, and those who scored best in three questions related to senior management. In the former employees were asked about their faith in their leader, whether they were inspired by that person and whether the leader runs the organisation on sound moral principles. In the latter they were asked to consider whether the senior management team listened rather than told them what to do, whether they truly lived the values of the company and whether the employee had confidence in the leadership skills of the senior team.
ACRO's prime focus is to produce operational benefits and ensure maximum public protection from dangerous offenders. It was set up four years ago in response to a perceived gap in the police service's ability to manage criminal records and, in particular, improve links to biometric data. It provides guidance and management on access to these criminal records and seeks to improve their operational use, working with all UK forces, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Policing Improvement Agency among others.
Linton regularly meets with teams for lunch to obtain direct feedback and ideas from staff. He holds monthly briefings, updating them on business news and progress and awarding those members of staff who have made a significant contribution to the business with an official Superintendent's Recognition.
Linton is described as being approachable to staff at all levels, with great vision and interpersonal skills. Add to this his desire to encourage staff to develop and improve and it's no wonder he is our Most People Focused CEO - Public Sector.
FINALISTS
William Moyes, retired, executive chairman,
Monitor (David Bennett is interim chief executive)
Jonathan Godfrey, principal, Hereford Sixth Form College
Robin Hales, chief executive, Sevenoaks District Council
Jack Hegarty, managing director, Wychavon District Council
