We can't get away from politicisation of new police role
I attended the first of the hustings, in Leicester, for the introduction of the police and crime commissioner.
From the very beginning of the meeting, on Monday night, the greatest threat was identified as the threat of further politicisation of the police.
The police cuts were quoted as 20 per cent.
The Government ignored the advice of the chief inspector of constabularies not to go beyond 12 per cent, because of the serious impact it would have on policing, despite chief constables having to keep to politically-imposed performance targets.
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The police cannot have a trade union and are banned from striking, so politicians worsened their pay and conditions, diminished their pensions and introduced privatisation to make a profit, knowing there can be no redress by the police.
We need a candidate who is most likely to serve the public and the police service impartially.
All the candidates admitted that they know very little about the principles of policing but, as someone once said, "you don't need an engineer to run an engineering company".
The chief constable still retains operational command, so if a problem is pointed out it is his responsibility to solve it.
However, it is the responsibility of the new commissioner to set the policing plan for the force area.
The independent candidate is at a distinct disadvantage, because of lack of resources, against both the Labour and Conservative candidates.
Despite their good intentions on the night, the latter pair could not shake off the fact that they are the official candidates for their political parties and will be expected to impose their party's political policies.
The timing of the "winter" election was mentioned, when a low turn-out is expected and when the political candidates will be better able to mobilise their party voters.
The most impressive candidate on the night for me was the independent, Suleman Nagdi, with his vast experience in diverse public causes in this country at different levels, a lot of which is police related.
Patrick Trigg, Oadby.
Comments
by Oh_come_on
Thursday, November 01 2012, 12:59PM
“by CGLee
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:51AM
."DavidJCB, you clearly didn't read my post very carefully. My reference to colour was red or blue, ie. Labour or Conservative. Nothing more, nothing less. You will never see me referring to colour in any other context."
by DavidJCB
Thursday, November 01 2012, 12:00PM
."I read it CGLee, you might want to reword it in that case, to me it looks wrong."
.
I don't think there is any need to re-word CGLee's comment:
"Our police forces must not be allowed to come under the control of political parties of any colour."
It is quite obvious what CGLee is reffering too, unless you are looking to misquote it and cause an arguement?”
by DavidJCB
Thursday, November 01 2012, 12:00PM
“I read it CGLee, you might want to reword it in that case, to me it looks wrong.”
by CGLee
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:51AM
“DavidJCB, you clearly didn't read my post very carefully. My reference to colour was red or blue, ie. Labour or Conservative. Nothing more, nothing less. You will never see me referring to colour in any other context.”
by City_C10
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:51PM
“100% agree with you there Rachel.”
by Oh_come_on
Sunday, October 28 2012, 1:21PM
“"The problem is the cut to service CGLee, "The police cuts were quoted as 20 per cent." We need a level of policing, and that is the issue. Why you bring colour into this I am not sure?
And the prize for the most ridiculous misquote of the week goes to.........Davidjcb!!”
by Rachel_Leics
Sunday, October 28 2012, 1:04PM
“We need a good honest police service, i don't care about the colour or who runs them as long as they keep to the rules of the law :) x”
by DavidJCB
Friday, October 26 2012, 9:30PM
“The problem is the cut to service CGLee, "The police cuts were quoted as 20 per cent." We need a level of policing, and that is the issue. Why you bring colour into this I am not sure?
"Our police forces must not be allowed to come under the control of political parties of any colour."
?”
by CGLee
Friday, October 26 2012, 8:37PM
“If you read my whole post, DavidJCB, instead of just the first sentence, together with all my other post relating to this matter, you will see why I feel the way that I do.”
by DavidJCB
Friday, October 26 2012, 6:12PM
“Why must we CGLee?”
by bapcav
Friday, October 26 2012, 3:02PM
“Patrick Trigg's letter is absolutely correct.
However, I disagree with CGLee's remark that this is a "ridiculous election."
Too many recent events have shown that independent police commissioners are desperately needed. But he is correct that we certainly do not want political interference or collusion.
We saw too much of that between Tony Blair and his namesake Sir Ian Blair.”