Leics. Police & Crime Commissioner

[davieG]

Merc

Voters go to the polls in November to choose our first elected police and crime commissioner (PCC). The winner will control the force budget and scrutinise officers’ performance. Crime correspondent Ciaran Fagan asks Conservative candidate, former Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader, and Labour’s candidate, city councillor Sarah Russell, to set out their stalls.

How did you feel when you won your party's nomination?

• 
  ​
  Sarah Russell and Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader
  

Sir Clive Loader: Delight that those who voted me in had placed such confidence in me and concern that I had never run an election campaign before – coupled with the knowledge of the importance of trying to enthuse and inform the electorate.

Sarah Russell: Surprised, excited, honoured, nervous.

How influential do you believe you could be?

SCL: Extremely influential. The population will have for the first time an individual who has been elected solely to represent their views and act on their behalf in policing matters.

If the PCC does not deliver, he or she will be ejected at the next turn of the election handle.

SR: In such a difficult financial climate I would use any influence to get increased collaboration from the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure we pull together to protect communities, individuals and businesses – whether that be in reducing shoplifting and burglary or tackling domestic violence.

How can we be sure you won't be making decisions based on party affiliation?

SCL: You can be sure because I have said that I will not do so – and my word is my pledge.

I am extremely clear that the PCC is accountable to the people of Leicestershire and Rutland, not to Conservative head office.

SR: It is vital for public confidence that the police are not politicised.

My political affiliation is more about the values I use to inform decisions I make than about a party line.

One chief constable has said crime could rise as officer numbers fall. Crime in Leicestershire is falling despite a drop in officer and staff numbers – what are your thoughts?

SCL: The fact that crime shows a fall does great credit to the chief constable and his people and it proves that with the right leadership and focus it is possible to achieve success against diminishing funding.

But there have to be further cuts in public expenditure and we will have to deal with those.

That means listening carefully to what the public want and then equally carefully focusing available assets.

SR: The work done by the chief constable and his team, alongside the police authority, to maintain frontline and neighbourhood policing is behind the numbers continuing to fall, but this protection can only go so far.

The depth of cuts threatens this and goes alongside other social factors such as rising unemployment which can also have an impact on crime figures.

Does the PCC role give you any significant say on officer and staff levels?

SCL: Beyond insisting we continue to perform, indeed improve, within the available budget, I do not expect to need to have a significant say on officer and staff levels. The chief constable is the expert.

SR: The chief constable must have the autonomy to make operational decisions. I will work with him on a strategy that protects neighbourhood policing and ensures all staff are accountable to the public.

Do you have a plan to raise public participation in the election?

SCL: We need to inform and enthuse the populace so they will exercise their democratic right, come rain or snow.

I want to use all possible means to do that – and the Leicester Mercury is a very important part of that.

I also plan to do a great deal of listening to all parts of the constituency. Perhaps by so doing, we can get people talking.

SR: As candidates, we have a huge responsibility to help people find out more about the role and why it is so important to use their votes.

I'm delighted organisations have already started organising hustings and I will attend as many as possible. I am also making use of social media.

How do you intend to keep the public informed of decisions?

SCL: Beyond the fact the PCC will be fully answerable to a Police and Crime Panel, I would expect to continue to explain exactly what we are doing via mechanisms from conventional media to social media and town hall meetings, alongside the chief constable.

SR: I intend to be fully transparent and will ensure there are regular opportunities for questions and challenge by both the public and the media.

All decisions will be formally recorded and published and I will consult as broadly as possible on key decisions.

Have you spoken to police officers to get a flavour of how they feel?

SCL: I have spent time with officers in road policing, firearms, the custody centre, the emergency call-out centre, CID and neighbourhood policing and accompanied officers patrolling Leicester city's night-time economy until 3am.

Of course they have views regarding the PCCs, most notably a gentle concern that an outsider might meddle in their business.

They need have no fear about me in that regard.

SR: I am lucky to have the opportunity to speak to officers on a daily basis and have a broad understanding of the challenges they are facing and work with them in my current role to ensure we make the best use of scarce resources.

One of you lives in the city and the other in the county. Do you believe you have a grasp of the issues facing people in the other area?

SCL: I do not accept that this background somehow does not allow me to understand the problems faced by those who live in town or city centres.

Whoever is elected will be the PCC for all people, not just for those who voted for them.

SR: Having friends and family living throughout Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as working with those of all political persuasions who have responsibility for community safety, has given me an understanding of the challenges faced by people across the force area and also of some of the shared worries.

What was your reaction when you first saw the new police uniform?

SCL: It looks both operational and comfortable.

Equally importantly, it is already in neighbouring forces, so there will be economies of scale.

SR: It looks comfortable and practical.

How about the gradual change of name from Leicestershire Constabulary to Leicestershire Police?

SCL: If it helps people to identify with the roles and responsibilities of the police, I am comfortable with it.

SR: I had not really noticed but I think that it makes sense.

Why are we having elected police and crime commissioners?

People in England and Wales will be asked to choose police and crime commissioners (PCCs) for their police forces for the first time on November 15.

The PCCs will replace police authorities, which have set budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised performance.

The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents. Commissioners’ roles will include:

Ensuring local and national priorities are suitably funded by setting a budget and tax payer contribution.

Consulting with the public to set policing priorities.

Cutting crime and delivering an effective and efficient police service.

Holding chief constables to account for performance, although they will not be able to interfere in operational matters.

Elections will take place every four years.

[1964FOX]

It's simple, elect the Tory and the police will be privatised, elect labour and they won't. Does anyone want a Police force ran by someone needing to make a profit?

[Nick]

Crazy stuff politicising Policing.

Neither candidate can possibly be qualified for the role - appoint somebody for the public role, yes but I'd rather vote for somebody qualified.

Crazy stuff.

[Father Ted]

Labour and City Councillor... no thank you... Shambles.

[1964FOX]

Crazy stuff politicising Policing.

Neither candidate can possibly be qualified for the role - appoint somebody for the public role, yes but I'd rather vote for somebody qualified.

Crazy stuff.

I couldn't agree more. Politics and profits in policing can only be a bad thing.

[Trav Le Bleu]

If I went round saying that I was police and crime commissioner just because some moistened wpc had lobbed a truncheon at me, they'd lock me away!

Or more to the point...

"I'm the police and crime commissioner."

"The what?"

"Police and Crime Commissioner."

"I didn't know we had one."

[Finnegan]

****ing nightmare. Why can't we leave police work to the professionals and stop trying to Americanise ourselves? Jesus.

I hate the Tories as much as the next lefty but Sarah ****ing Russell?

[Zingari]

Crazy stuff politicising Policing.

Neither candidate can possibly be qualified for the role - appoint somebody for the public role, yes but I'd rather vote for somebody qualified.

Crazy stuff.

It says here that there will be no politicising of police, but I'm not sure if I believe it either

http://www.homeoffic...wers/index.html

edit;

that Loader bloke looks a bit like David Pleat when he was younger

[Nick]

It says here that there will be no politicising of police, but I'm not sure if I believe it either

http://www.homeoffic...wers/index.html

edit;

that Loader bloke looks a bit like David Pleat when he was younger

If it's not a politically related post, I feel the need to question why the candidates are representatives from political parties and not criminal justice professionals with decades of experience in the field.

To be honest I feel remarkably similar about Government Ministers how somebody can be Minister for Education on Tuesday and Health/Foreign Affairs the following Wednesday is a bit like entering Sir Chris Hoy in the Pole Vault because he did well in the Velodrome.

I'd perhaps rather go for a more Republican model and vote individual ministers in on the back of their professional careers - not have them appointed by the Government and replaced as and when it's convenient to them.

[Daggers]

Crazy stuff politicising Policing.

This, this and this.

What the frig has party politics got to do with the price of fish? Madness.

[Guest MattP]

Both parties have been completely useless in tackling crime to be quite frank in the recent past.

I agree with Nick, why they are plucked from Political Parties to do this is quite bizarre.

[Daggers]

Is there no independent candidate?

[Webbo]

Don't we already have councillors on police boards who decide policy and appoint the chief constable? The problem is nobody knows who they are so they are not accountable.

There's no reason why there can't be an independent candidate it's just that you have a better chance of being elected if you have a party machine behind you.

[davieG]

Merc

A businessman and community leader is to stand for elected police commissioner as an independent.

Suleman Nagdi, who lives in Leicester, said he believed party politics should be kept out of the £75,000-a-year role.

• 
  ​
  

Mr Nagdi, who is active in a number of community groups, including Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, said he would "put the feelings of victims of crime and law-abiding citizens first" if he was elected in November.

He said: "Over the past 25 years, I have been actively engaged in providing a critical voice to the police to ensure that members of the public receive the highest standards of service.

"In order to create stronger, safer and integrated communities, we need to support our police – not to play party politics with them.

"That is why I am standing as an independent candidate. The person who is elected police and crime commissioner (PCC) should be accountable to the people and not to political parties.

"I believe my experiences in business and in the community will stand me in good stead for this vital role."

Labour and Conservative candidates – city councillor Sarah Russell and retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader – this week both stressed they would not make decisions based on party affiliations.

The PCCs will replace police authorities, which have traditionally set police budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised force performance.

The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents.

Mr Nagdi is the second person to tell the Mercury of their intention to stand as an independent in November's election.

However, the first, city magistrate and businessman Rick Moore withdrew from the contest last month.

Mr Moore said he believed an independent could not win the contest because of the financial resources available to the main political parties.

He said: "I worked out that to send a single letter to every home in the county would cost about £80,000 – an independent simply cannot compete with mainstream parties."

The deadline for nominations is mid-October. Each candidate must provide a £5,000 deposit and a document signed by 100 residents.

A national think tank this week suggested politicians would not attract widespread support among voters.

A YouGov poll for Policy Exchange found 59 per cent of voters said former police officers were their preferred candidates.

Others said they would back "ordinary people with an interest in policing issues" or those from a military background.

Only 13 per cent backed candidates from the business world, while six per cent said they would choose a politician.

A website about the November 15 election is at:

www.leics-pcc.org

[Captain...]

How the fvck I am supposed to pick between a Tory, a woman or a muslim, are there no credible candidates

[ADK]

How the fvck I am supposed to pick between a Tory, a woman or a muslim, are there no credible candidates

[Father Ted]

Merc

A businessman and community leader is to stand for elected police commissioner as an independent.

Suleman Nagdi, who lives in Leicester, said he believed party politics should be kept out of the £75,000-a-year role.

• 
  ​
  

Mr Nagdi, who is active in a number of community groups, including Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, said he would "put the feelings of victims of crime and law-abiding citizens first" if he was elected in November.

He said: "Over the past 25 years, I have been actively engaged in providing a critical voice to the police to ensure that members of the public receive the highest standards of service.

"In order to create stronger, safer and integrated communities, we need to support our police – not to play party politics with them.

"That is why I am standing as an independent candidate. The person who is elected police and crime commissioner (PCC) should be accountable to the people and not to political parties.

"I believe my experiences in business and in the community will stand me in good stead for this vital role."

Labour and Conservative candidates – city councillor Sarah Russell and retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader – this week both stressed they would not make decisions based on party affiliations.

The PCCs will replace police authorities, which have traditionally set police budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised force performance.

The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents.

Mr Nagdi is the second person to tell the Mercury of their intention to stand as an independent in November's election.

However, the first, city magistrate and businessman Rick Moore withdrew from the contest last month.

Mr Moore said he believed an independent could not win the contest because of the financial resources available to the main political parties.

He said: "I worked out that to send a single letter to every home in the county would cost about £80,000 – an independent simply cannot compete with mainstream parties."

The deadline for nominations is mid-October. Each candidate must provide a £5,000 deposit and a document signed by 100 residents.

A national think tank this week suggested politicians would not attract widespread support among voters.

A YouGov poll for Policy Exchange found 59 per cent of voters said former police officers were their preferred candidates.

Others said they would back "ordinary people with an interest in policing issues" or those from a military background.

Only 13 per cent backed candidates from the business world, while six per cent said they would choose a politician.

A website about the November 15 election is at:

www.leics-pcc.org

Wow, this is going to turn into a Mayor type race. Why can't they just promote a high ranked Senior Police officer?

[Captain...]

Wow, this is going to turn into a Mayor type race. Why can't they just promote a high ranked Senior Police officer?

They are engaging the public, can you not see how engaged we are?

[ADK]

So 59 per cent of voters (A majority) would prefer someone from a policing background (who'd have thought?) and so far there are no candidates from a policing background?

[Daggers]

• ​
  

His tie is all fvcked up and at the wrong angle.

How can he run a police force if he can't get the basics right?

[Bellend Sebastian]

****ing nightmare. Why can't we leave police work to the professionals and stop trying to Americanise ourselves? Jesus.

I hate the Tories as much as the next lefty but Sarah ****ing Russell?

I've put it on record before that she makes fantastic cakes, and given its direct relevance to the matter at hand I think it entirely appropriate that I do so again.

Never tried a cake baked by the bloke though, so not really qualified to comment there.

If this is the only criteria we're using then surely Holly off The Great British Bake Off is the most suitable candidate, as not only is she local, on the face of it she also makes amazing cakes. I also quite fancy her, so for me that really seals the deal.

Mind you, this whole thing is pointless, because as Dave who sits next to me in the office explained yesterday, there's no point in calling the police because they never do anything about anything anyway, and neither he or anyone else bothers now because his uncle had his wing mirror broken off his Vectra and they didn't call out the dogs or helicopters or anything

[Captain...]

I've put it on record before that she makes fantastic cakes, and given its direct relevance to the matter at hand I think it entirely appropriate that I do so again.

Never tried a cake baked by the bloke though, so not really qualified to comment there.

If this is the only criteria we're using then surely Holly off The Great British Bake Off is the most suitable candidate, as not only is she local, on the face of it she also makes amazing cakes. I also quite fancy her, so for me that really seals the deal.

Mind you, this whole thing is pointless, because as Dave who sits next to me in the office explained yesterday, there's no point in calling the police because they never do anything about anything anyway, and neither he or anyone else bothers now because his uncle had his wing mirror broken off his Vectra and they didn't call out the dogs or helicopters or anything

Well that explains why the crime figures are going down then.

[Finnegan]

I love you Bellend.

[Bellend Sebastian]

Well that explains why the crime figures are going down then.

Yet the police's ability to fight crime they don't know about remains stubbornly wanting.

I do think a lot of the public's expectations of anti crime agencies are based on Batman

I love you Bellend.

Well I don't like to say it but I am very beautiful, and I KNOW you are

[1964FOX]

Wow, this is going to turn into a Mayor type race. Why can't they just promote a high ranked Senior Police officer?

Anyone who is currenty working for the force can't apply. Would have to resign and take a risk to see if they got the job.