Lack of kinowledge over police changes

CHESHIRE Police Authority chairman Margaret Ollerenshaw has expressed concern about the public’s lack of knowledge of imminent changes in the way the police are run.
She said: “In just four months time people all across the country, including Cheshire, will go to the polls to elect their local Police and Crime Commissioner. It seems that, at this stage, most people don’t know anything about it.
“The authority has been working successfully to ensure that the transition will be as smooth as possible but people need to understand what this major change will mean and to decide who is the most suitable candidate to fill this very important role.”
Of 200 people surveyed in Cheshire,78 per cent had not heard of Police and Crime Commissioners nor had any knowledge of what their role would be.
Most people who knew about the change did not know when it would take place.
When given details, 75 per cent of people said they would probably turn out to vote, but a final decision on that would depend on what promises candidates made in their manifestos.
Most people said they believed the top priority for a Commissioner should be to increase the visible presence of police officers on the street, although they understood this would be difficult, given the necessary reductions in police funding.
Other priorities people wanted to see included increased engagement between the police and local communities, improved road safety, an increase in the number of Police Community Support Officers and less time spent on paperwork.
MS Ollerenshaw (pictured) said: “The survey results reflect the fact that people see policing as something vitally important; something which affects their everyday lives.
“The change, in November, means that a Police and Crime Commissioner will take over the Authority’s roles of holding the Chief Constable to account, securing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Constabulary, setting the policing budget and the council tax precept to pay for policing, setting the policing objectives and monitoring performance.
“The Commissioner will also have duties which are not covered by the Police Authority, including the direct funding of community safety and crime reduction activity.
“It will obviously be a crucial role. The Home Office intends to make a big push to raise awareness when the London Olympics have finished. We can only hope that succeeds. People need to know as much as possible about what is involved so that they can make the right choice at the ballot on November 15.”
More information can be found on the Cheshire Police Authority website, cheshirepa.police.uk
So far, two candidates have been put forward for the Police and Crime Commissioner election in Cheshire, but nominations do not close until October 19.
They are retired assistant chief constable of Cheshire John Dwyer, nominated by the Conservative Party and Halton councillor John Stockton, nominated by the Labour Party.