If we must have elected Police Commissioners imposed upon us, then I thought it would be interesting to send the local candidates a series of questions. I was of the opinion that I would just ignore the whole campaign, but after realising how much of taxpayer's money the government has spent on creating this election that I don't recall asking for, I thought I'd find out who may be taking on the role & what they could bring to it. I sent them all an e-mail with the following questions: · Can you promise not to privatise Nottinghamshire police services? · Are you prepared to put this promise in writing for all to see? · Where do you stand regarding transparency over meetings & contacts with lobbyists? · What will be your approach regarding the public visibility of the decision-making process of any existing or new public private partnerships? · Will you allow companies such as G4S to become involved in the running of Nottinghamshire police? · What connections do you have to companies that might be interested in police contracts? · What is your attitude towards the reinstatement of motorcycle traffic officers in the county & the subsequent introduction of a Bikesafe programme in the interests of road safety? There are 2 independent candidates, a Labour Party member & a Tory Party member standing. Of the 4, 3 have sent positive responses that indicate an attitude to keep policing under the guidance of professionals & not to allow private companies to take control. The 3 respondent also made strong statements regarding the requirement for more officers on the beat. None of them appeared to wish to commit to saying anything specific about officers on motorcycles or Bikesafe. The Tory Party candidate did not respond. Nor did my local MP (Tory) when I sent her the same questions - but then she consistently ignores any communications from her constituents. Feel free to use the above questions as a basis for any of your own if you wish to contact your own PCC candidates.
Police should be run by police. Simple. Utter waste of taxpayers money at a time when it can be ill-afforded. How many bobbies could have been put on the beat instead?!
I asked the leicestershire candidates a couple of questions a what are they going to do about a wave of burglaries and cartheft in our area b what are they going to do with problems of noise and anti social behaviour conservative did not even respond - obviously doesn't car and not interested labour lengthly text book answer but did not grasp the reality of policing or dealing with antisocial behaviour independant totally incoherant and nonsense answer "I agree with you 100% and have a possitive arrest policy" the entire process is a complete joke and a cover for budget cuts, remember the people effectively voted these commissioners in and effectively voted for these budget cuts in so you can't blame the government or the police
Update Update: One of the independent candidates has now claimed to be in support of the return of motorcycle traffic officers to the county, along with provision of a Bikesafe programme. Still no word from the Tory candidate or the local MP.
I cannot for the life of me see why any candidate should be associated with any political party. In fact the exact opposite should apply and none of them should be allowed to be affiliated to any party. Furthermore I do not want police commissioners anyway. What is wrong with the existing system? What the country needs is a 'nil turnout' for the election.
I cant say im in favour for the PCC.....however The problem was that the existing system of police Authority was around 14 members all not necessarily clued up or knowledgeable about the topic, and they all submitted their expense claims for us the public to pay......
Finally a reply from the Conservative Candidate. Says very little of substance & ignores most of the points raised, but includes the following key statement that to my thinking reveals his real agenda: " If savings can be made by collaborating with other police forces, other emergency services, local authorities or private companies I will look at them."
