Christopher Pincher: Backs call for Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Candidates

Christopher Pincher, the Conservative MP for Tamworth, has today backed calls for candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioners elections to be held next year to put themselves forward.

On 15 November 2012 Police and Crime Commissioners will be elected in every police force area across England and Wales, outside of London.

These important roles will herald a new era of policing, putting the power to hold the police to account in the hands of elected representatives. With new powers devolved from Whitehall, Commissioners will have mandates from the public to drive the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.  Therefore, the best potential candidates are needed.

Police and Crime Commissioners will have specific responsibility to:

•             work with the communities in their force area and identify their policing needs

•             set priorities by agreeing a local strategic plan for the force

•             hold the Chief Constable to account for achieving these priorities

•             set the force budget and the policing precept in council tax bills

•             appoint – and, if necessary, remove – the Chief Constable

Commenting, Mr. Pincher said:

“This Government is reforming the police to help them drive the fight against crime and disorder.”

“The Police and Crime Commissioner in Staffordshire will be an important link between the police and the communities they serve. He or she will give people across Tamworth a direct say in how their area is policed.

“As a party, we have already launched consultations with local Associations about candidate selection and I look forward to seeing strong candidates come forward to contest this important position.”