Police bosses 'alarmed' at proposal for elected chiefs in radical shake-up
Government proposals for elected police commissioners in radical shake-up of policing were last night branded "bizarre" and "alarming" by the chairman of the Devon and Cornwall authority they are intended to replace.
Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday announced the first election of new 'Police and Crime Commissioners' would take place in May 2012.
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In the report 'Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People', Ms May said the commissioners would "transfer power back to the people", better represent communities and understand "their crime and antisocial behaviour priorities".
The commissioner's role would be to "hold the Chief Constable to account" for hitting those priorities "and being able to fire her or him if they do not".
The report also laid out plans to create "Police and Crime Panels" in each force drawn from "locally elected councillors from constituent wards and independent and lay members" – immediately compared to the current police authority set-up – to hold commissioners to account.
It also said that raising the police precept – a charge which is part of council tax bills – would be subject to a referendum. None of the costs of the change, the elections, or commissioners' pay was detailed.
Mike Bull, the current chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, said the document was "completely lacking in detail and raises as many questions as it answers" while some of its justification was "bizarre".
"The cost of the elections will be substantial," he said. "If you are having elections only for police and crime commissioners, what turnout are you going to have? It really would play into the hands of minority interests, extremist groups and single issue candidates.
"The idea of having a referendum of precept setting means the cost of that referendum will fall on the police budget. The possibility of that is quite alarming."
The current annual running costs of the police authority is around £1.2 million, which Mr Bull said was just 0.56 per cent of the overall force budget.
Mr Bull said there was no indication of the cost of the new system but said the change was wrong in principle.
"I don't believe it is realistic for one person, however capable, to represent all our communities, to have contact with them or even be known across Devon and Cornwall," he added. "It just won't happen."
The move to police commissioners is among a raft of proposals which Ms May described as "the most radical reforms to policing in at least 50 years".
Plans were also announced to establish a new National Crime Agency to lead the fight against organised crime, cut police bureaucracy, free up officers' time and give the public more involvement.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It is vital police officers are free to tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour that matters most to people, not tied-down by bureaucracy and form-filling.
"The fundamental reforms we are announcing continue our work to deliver a police service that is visible and accountable to the very people it serves in communities up and down the country.
"By replacing invisible police authorities with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners, we can forge a direct link between the police and the public."
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by Matt, Truro
Thursday, July 29 2010, 4:38PM
“You pair are something else. Ask Northcliffe who will confirm that all IP addresses are different.
I've never met Paddy but I would like to, he sounds very informed, interesting and likes to put reasoning behind his every point.
You two have taken it upon yourselves to break the Cornish Nationalist movement on this forum. Good for you if you want to do that. Contrary to how Paddy contributes, you post negativity, lies and generally make fools of yourselves trying to discredit anyone offering a differing opinion.
I'm not Paddy. I'm not Cornish or a Cornish Nationalist.
You, as you prove on here frequently are a liar. You've lied, you're incorrect and you're quite clearly paranoid.”
by Gary, saltash
Thursday, July 29 2010, 2:41PM
“Let him be seen for what he is, xenophobic YC tried to ask him to provide evidence in the end nothing works apart from advertising his comments of support for the Celtic league and MK and letting people read the comments and judging for themselves. I have said nothing racist my comments are here for all to read.
For those not aware Matt = P.lemon = Trembath and about 90 members of the Muppets, he is here to represent Cornish nationalism, MK and the Celtic league, he does not want police officers who are not pure bloods, he does not want to debate, he want to stifle any comment that does not support Cornish nationalism, he is a poor example of Cornwall and Cornish nationalism but his refusal to act with respect for others sees me drawing the conclusion all nationalists are like him. Mainly because he uses so many IDs but this is a problem for the Cornish nationalist movement not me”
by SarahJ, Late for work
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:14PM
“Site admins it seems the "report abuse" is not working
Trembath using the Matt name has made a sordid comment
Quote Your constant rasicm and degrading comments about Cornwall and the Cornish are not.
I can not see any racist comment from Gary and feel this attack by Trembath is getting out of order, Trembath is the extremist here and unable to comment without negative disgusting personal attacks.
Rule 3: Language and relevance
Please be polite. Do not use swear words or crude or sexual language. Only English is allowed. Keep your submissions relevant to the story or topic. Do not insult other contributions or discuss the non-appearance or removal of any content on this Site or the suspension or termination of any users. If you would like to discuss the operation of the Site with us, please email us at comments@northcliffemedia.co.uk
Trembath has failed to observe this rule every time he comments”
by SarahJ, The Home office
Thursday, July 29 2010, 12:37PM
“The home office and CPS have ground down the forces to create officers afraid of arresting, searching or questioning potential criminals with various misuses of the human rights act and the CPS wanting everything in triplicate
The CPS are under pressure but the creation of masses of paper work associated with even minor cases is killing the system, if people want improved legal system and more officers on the beat this is the area which needs to be improved, 75% of an officers time is spent doing paper work, is that what the tax pays for glorified secretaries in uniform”
by Gary, Saltash
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:56AM
“Another ID, this time Matt the Xenophobic. Welcome to the adult world of sticks and stones”
by Matt, Truro
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:13AM
“Gary, you appear to have some mental health issues.
How in any way was my comment xenophobic? My Dad was a copper and he explained about the benefits of local community policing. This is where I form my opinion from.
You've called me a Nat? I'm not even Cornish.
Your infantile rantings just show you up to be a hate fulled, bile spewing lunatic.
Your dribbly attempts to discredit the Nats are laughable. Your constant rasicm and degrading comments about Cornwall and the Cornish are not.
If you hate Cornwall and the Cornish, why don't you just move? I think I live in the best place in the world...”
by Gary, Saltash
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:21AM
“Please everyone do not report Trembath and his many IDs let him attack me and be seen for what he is. Read my comment below and judge it for yourself, I hope not many hold such views about outsiders, you might also want to scroll down and read the silly attack on me by Matt earlier where he basically agreed with me but tried to twist it to his idea then added a little Xenophobia for good measure,
Mike are you sure trembath is a good foot soldier for the Celtic league?”
by Paddy Trembath, Praa Sands
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:20AM
“And BINGO
Our resident "Nat Basher" jumps in in an attempt to turn this topic into another of his nats=bad, non-nats=good arguments.
Pathetic.”
by Gary, Saltash
Thursday, July 29 2010, 8:51AM
“Most of the police in Cornwall don't seem to be from the region whereas in the past they grew up in the community. Trust takes years to build, seconds to destroy.
Matt, Truro
Xenophobia is so easy to spot, he tried to hijack my comment yet the extremist hate boils to the surface, always give the nats a soap box and watch them leap into the fire.
It does not matter where you were born, so long as the same officer walks the same beat and takes time out to speak with the community we will be on the road to repairing broken Britain, parent have let down the community we need bobbies to teach youths the basic concepts of right and wrong
We need to get rid of community support officers and plastic traffic officers they offer nothing to society”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 10:07PM
“:| Well I wonder just who did try to 'fit up' Ray Mallon?”