14 November 2012
Police and Crime commissioner - News Round Up

This is the final of our PCC news round ups as polls open tomorrow (Thursday 15 November).

Terror law fears may rouse voters in West Yorkshire police chief poll
A look at why counter-terrorism measures may prompt northerners to vote in the forthcoming PCC elections.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/13/bradford-respect-party-george-galloway-police-and-crime-commissioners-election
Police and crime panels are already sitting
Panels to scrutinise and support the work and decisions of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) have now been established in the 41 force areas in England and Wales, the Local Government Association (LGA) has reported.
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=21434
Police and crime commissioner elections: all you need to know
A summary of PCCs including its origins, criticisms, likely winners and the voting procedure.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2012/11/police-and-crime-commissioner-elections-all-you-need-know
Police and crime commissioners: hard lessons in a softly softly election
A Guardian editoral on the potential challenges facing police professional practice and operation independence.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/12/police-crime-commissioners-election-editorial
They’re not sheriffs but can run top cops out of town
An interesting article comparing and contrasting PCCs with the American system of Sheriffs.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/11/13/they-re-not-sheriffs-but-can-run-top-cops-out-of-town-91466-32220697/
Ex-chief constable's call to boycott police election
Another former top police officer urges people not to vote in the forthcoming elections, this time in the form of Peter Joslin, former Warwickshire Police Chief Constable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-20290502
As a victim of crime, I’m backing PCCs
Baroness Newlove of Warrington, Conservative peer, outlines why she supports the idea of PCCs and why people should vote in the elections on Thursday 15th November.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9671372/As-a-victim-of-crime-Im-backing-PCCs.html
Police elections: Dyfed-Powys force review
A video feature by Adrian Browne for the Sunday Politics Wales on PCC candidates' and their manifestos for Dyfed-Powys region.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20287815
National policing could suffer under new watchdog, senior officer warns
The police’s ability to deal with major outbreaks of public disorder and serious crime could be affected when Police and Crime Commissioners take office, one of the country’s most senior officers has warned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9670850/National-policing-could-suffer-under-new-watchdog-senior-officer-warns.html
Crime commissioners 'public voice'
Police and crime commissioners will take the "voice of the people" to forces across the country, Home Secretary Theresa May said ahead of the first elections for the positions this week.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2012/11/11/crime-commissioners-public-voice-91466-32210458/
Police commissioner elections could be the first step on road to corruption
Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary's damning verdict on the PCC and explanation why Labour candidates are contesting the elections.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/09/police-commissioner-elections-step-road-corruption
Police and Crime Commissioners: 'Tension' warning
The introduction of police commissioners will create "inevitable tension" with chief constables over local and national policing priorities, Sir Hugh Orde has warned.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20258446
Police and Crime Commissioner candidate criticised for tactics
West Mercia's independent PCC candidate, Bill Longmore, has criticised his Conservative opponent for using Tory MPs and ministers to back his campaign.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/11/09/police-and-crime-commissioner-candidate-criticised-for-tactics/
Tory police and crime candidate faces fraud probe
Hampshire PCC hopeful Michael Mates is being probed by police over alleged electoral fraud.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/tory-police-and-crime-candidate-faces-fraud-probe-1-4465086
Boris Johnson's ex-aide Guto Harri backs police election
An interesting reflection on the past relationship between former top London Police Commissioners and the Mayor of London.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20208234
Staffordshire PCC candidates say police budget 'a priority'
The candidates for Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner have said dealing with the force budget will be the first priority of the job.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-20250754
Devon and Cornwall PCC elections: Hate crime debated
More needs to be done to tackle hate crime, candidates for the post of police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the south west have agreed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-20256112
Thames Valley PCC elections: 'Balance of urban and rural needs'
Candidates for the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner election believe responsibility for tackling urban and rural crime can be balanced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20250014
Parents hit out at schools disruption
Why some parents are already frustrated about Thursday's PCC elections before a single vote is cast.
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Parents-hit-schools-disruption/story-17255784-detail/story.html
Hartlepool regeneration residents 'feel unsafe'
Residents of Hartlepool express their concerns and frustrations over anti-social behaviour in the area.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-20220991
Police and Crime Commissioner elections: how the changes could affect your streets
ITV looks at the impact that Cumbria's first PCC can have on the region.
http://www.itv.com/news/border/2012-11-07/police-and-crime-commissioner-elections-how-the-changes-could-affect-your-streets/
Chief constable quits on £90,000 pension... and five days later starts work for new police commissioners
A former Chief Constable has left his post in order to head two private companies offering a range of free and paid services to PCCs.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2228949/Martin-Baker-Chief-constable-quits-90-000-pension--days-later-starts-work-new-commissioners.html
Police commissioners will have mandate - Theresa May
The success of new police commissioners will be determined not by how many people elect them but what they do in office, the home secretary has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20218584
PCC candidates' views on anti-social behaviour
A brief overview of the South Yorkshire PCC hustings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20226395
If you don't vote in next week's police elections, don't complain afterwards
MEP Daniel Hannan delivers a very clear message to eligible voters ahead of the PCC election date.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100187739/if-you-dont-vote-in-next-weeks-police-elections-dont-complain-if-your-local-constabulary-spends-its-budget-on-speed-cameras-and-racism-awareness-counsellors/
Police tsar elections ‘may lead to power vacuum’
Meredydd Hughes, a former Chief Constable, expresses his concerns in relation to a possibly low turnout for the PCC election.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/police-tsar-elections-may-lead-to-power-vacuum-1-5093294
First Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner will face crisis in funding
This is Cornwall looks at the economic challenges facing the successful PCC candidate for Devon and Cornwall.
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Devon-Cornwall-police-crime-commissioner-face/story-17236104-detail/story.html
Just one in seven may vote for new police watchdog
As few as one in seven people could turn out to vote for the Government’s flagship police and crime commissioners, a poll for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners warns.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9654147/Just-one-in-seven-may-vote-for-new-police-watchdog.html