Category Archives: Police & Crime Commissioner

White Ribbon Day – 25th NOvember


A year ago I was coming to terms with the results of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner elections, having achieved a creditable third against the two best organised and resourced political parties in Sussex. The top three candidates all promised to … Continue reading

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Would the real Independents please stand up


Prior to last years Police and Crime Commissioner elections on the 15th November, there was very little evidence of a widespread appetite by electors for Independent candidates. The PCC election was a touchstone for me personally, having always been willing to vote … Continue reading

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PCCs and Probation


It is clear that whilst a debate rages regarding the suitability of G4S and SERCO to bid for probation contracts as part of the ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ reform, that a number of other issues or comments are being lost to the … Continue reading

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The Inconsistency of Parliament


The failure by three Police Officers to give a fair, just and reasonable account of a meeting with Andrew Mitchell has cost all of us a great deal of money, let alone the deep reputational damage done to Policing. The Home … Continue reading

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Lets stop sending innocent children to prison!


According to a report recently published by the Howard League for Penal Reform, Sussex Police detained 1564 children in custody cells overnight during 2011. Although this was a drop of 9% when compared to 2010 the number of girls detained rose from … Continue reading

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Impartiality in tatters


The country is now fully engaged in a general election campaign. If you were in any doubt of that, Heather Harper isn’t. Heather is the Chairman of Conservatives Abroad. She writes on their website  “We need your vote to get a … Continue reading

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What Katy did on her holidays


In November 2012 electors outside of London voted for Police and Crime Commissioners to provide governance for the 41 English and Welsh Police forces. This was a new role and replaced the work of the Police Authorities, enacted the last time we had … Continue reading

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The wrong time for fancy dress Tom


Last October Tom Winsor became the first Chief Inspector of Constabulary to be appointed who had not served as a Police Officer. This role was first created in 1856 and so this was a significant break with 156 years of history. … Continue reading

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Even rubber teeth can be made to bite


According to this news report the Police and Crime Panel for Hertfordshire has lost two of its members with one of the two, Elected Watford Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill explaining that police and crime panels equate to a “crocodile with rubber teeth”. … Continue reading

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A reckless approach to Policing


As I wrote yesterday the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has been recently snubbed by the Home Secretary, as their President, Sir Hugh Orde attempts to bring some form of clarity to the relationship between the 41 Chief Constables and the elected Police and Crime Commissioners. … Continue reading

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