Six candidates join race to be Leicestershire's elected police chief
The race to become elected police chief has gathered pace, with a batch of politicians putting themselves forward.
Until now two people – senior Conservative county councillor Nick Rushton and businessman and magistrate Rick Moore – had publicly expressed a desire to stand in November's election to become police and crime commissioners.
The Leicester Mercury has learned that six more people – three Labour and two Conservatives from the city and county councils, plus one parish councillor – are interested.
They have either formally told their party chiefs they would like to be considered or are an the point of doing so.
Others are expected to come forward in the next few weeks.
The two city councillors – both Labour – are Sundip Meghani and Wayne Naylor.
Councillor Meghani, a lawyer and a member of Leicestershire Police Authority, said: "It's such a big and important job, I'm giving it the consideration it deserves."
Coun Naylor, a cabinet member for community safety in a previous city administration, was unavailable to comment.
Jewel Miah, a county councillor and leader of Charnwood Borough Council's Labour group, has also confirmed his intention to declare himself a candidate.
He said: "I think it will come to a boil and there will be a lot of debate about this exciting role and policing issues."
Two Conservative members of the county council – Joe Orson and Rosita Page – have told the Mercury they are to enter the contest to become the official Conservative candidate.
Coun Orson, a former magistrate and a current member of the police authority, said: "It's a massive job.
"The way I see it is that it's likely to be a 60-plus hours a week role.
"When the time comes I hope there will be lots of debate and discussion about the new role."
Coun Page did not want to comment further at this stage.
Recently retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader is also seeking the Conservative party nomination.
Sir Clive, a parish councillor in Wing, Rutland, said: "The whole aim of this exercise is to reconnect the police with the people to make them more accountable.
"If it doesn't do that it will have failed."
Labour candidates will be interviewed by the party's East Midlands hierarchy and the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members, possibly by the end of May.
Conservative HQ in London will quiz those members who wish to run and the winner is expected to be chosen at a meeting open to all local party members.
The Liberal Democrats in Leicestershire are not expected to take part because the national party has spoken out against the reform, fearing it will politicise policing.
What the role involves
Elections for the police and crime commissioners will take place on November 15.
Police authorities will be replaced by a commissioner for each police force in England and Wales, excluding London.
The Government believes the elected head will make police forces more accountable to the public.
Critics believe the move could politicise policing.
According to the Home Office, the role of commissioners – who will be paid about £70,000 a year – will include:
Cutting crime and delivering an effective and efficient police service.
Consulting with the public to set policing priorities.
Ensuring local and national priorities are suitably funded by setting a budget and council tax payers' contribution.
Holding the chief constable to account.
Elections will take place every four years.
10 Comments
by Jani88
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 11:08AM
“I hope this will be made with the contractual agreement made unlike the mayor where he demands more money after 6 months in the job. I hope they can find the right person for this job. I wish them well.”
by babwinkle1
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 10:05AM
“Some of the people listed here would attend the opening of an envelope if they thought it would benifit their political career, one particular labour candidate mentioned here has already failed to get his partys backing to become an MP so must be trying his luck at this instead. i agree with Graham, how about someone who really wants the JOB not the salary getting it?”
by le8man
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 9:22AM
“martin le3-
The police will still have targets set by the home office, there will still be a crime & police committtee overseeing the commissioner, and able to hold them to book if they did focus on low crime areas...
The PCC doesnot have any operational command or control of the force, that resides with the Chief Constable. My concern is with the ex-military types who are misguided by the hype and think that is what they will be able to do, because they can't and won't. This is purely a political, strategic, budgeting role, without really many powers, oh except they can sack the Chief Constable, but even that has to be agreed by the Government. The other aspects of the role are on crime prevention and reduction, the government will give funding for plans and strategies that address areas of high crime, rather than low, and seek to reduce and prevent crimes and ASB. They also need to be able to work with a diverse range of partners, and be a media/pr figure head. No easy task.”
by redcat
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 1:38AM
“Yeah, because God forbid we have an actual Police officer running the police force when we could have our pick of politicians to do it...
"The Government believes the elected head will make police forces more accountable to the public".
a.k.a. They will do what wins them votes or financial campaign support, not what is right. Those with the most money and most power will have the most influence over the police force.
Welcome back to the 1800s, folks...”
by silentmist
Monday, February 20 2012, 4:15PM
“What the hell are any of those demagogic bureaucrats going to know about policing.
This whole thing of electing police commissioners never had any significant demand or need behind it. All it's going to accomplish is to reduce the quality of policing in lure of some tantalizing headlines.
What the hell do politicians think they're playing at. It'll be interesting to see who benefits and how over the years as this Punch & Judy show plays out.
I hate politicians.”
by Graham_LE8
Monday, February 20 2012, 1:25PM
“I'd also be more impressed if to dissuade the 'career politicians' (as noted below) the salary was a more modest one, say equivalent to a Police Constable; we might see someone apply out of genuine desire to serve the public interest, rather than self-serve themselves... just a thought.”
by Graham_LE8
Monday, February 20 2012, 1:02PM
“@ martin_le3; the 'politically expedient' model of policing that you're describing is already established, and exploited by the government of the day through the Home Secretary; what this will introduce is a locally focussed official who will want to direct the Forces' effort towards policies that will see him/herself in the most favourable light (re-elected). I can see these ambitions not always being mutually compatible...”
by martin_le3
Monday, February 20 2012, 11:32AM
“@LE3_NHS - I think you've neatly encapsulated what I think the problem is with bringing politics, and especially party politics this close to determining police operational priorities. Ask the man on the street, and they will always say 'more bobbies on the beat', it makes them feel safer.
But is this actually the very best use of the limited police resources? Possibly not, but it creates an electorally driven incentive to do what the electorate want, whether it is the most effective use of police resources or not. Couple this with the focus on those most likely to vote, and you could end up with police concentrating their efforts in areas with very low crime because it is politically expedient for them to do so.”
by LE3_NHS
Monday, February 20 2012, 10:56AM
“"Career politicians" looking for another trough. Doubtless they will be elected by a tiny majority of "party faithful". How about using the money for what most people want....police on the streets actually policing?”
by Eastonian
Monday, February 20 2012, 10:39AM
“Note the "starting" salary, about £70K. How many months will it be before some independent tribunal feels this is an insignificant amount and want it to rise to £150K plus because we only want the best?!!”