Upcoming Police Commisioner Elections - What are they about?

[Scarlett.]

On Thursday 15 November 2012 new elections are taking place in England and Wales (excluding London).

On this date you will be asked to choose a Police and Crime Commissioner for your local police force.

Who is standing for election?

The elections will happen in 41 police force areas in England and Wales (excluding London). To find out who is standing for election in your area and see information from candidates, visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk. Or you can call 0800 1 07 07 08 to order printed information about your candidates.

Voting system

For this election you can vote for a first and second choice of who you want to win. Victor can show you how.
PptcuCdSur0

The video is owned by the Electoral Commission and may be shared by others only in its entirety and without amends or manipulation. Use only the embed code provided for the full version of the video – this video must not be shared in part.

For more information on the voting system in these elections visit our voting system page.

Role of PCCs

The Police and Crime Commissioner will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on the public's behalf. The Police and Crime Commissioner will oversee how crime is tackled in their area and aim to make sure the police are providing a good service.

The Police and Crime Commissioner role includes:

meeting the public regularly to listen to their views on policing
producing a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities
deciding how the budget will be spent
appointing Chief Constables and dismissing them if needed.

Information booklet

In late October, every household in England and Wales (excluding London) will receive a booklet explaining more about these elections and how to fill in your ballot paper. You can also download the information booklet here. or visit our Information booklet page.

Information booklet – Alternative formats and translations

Alternative formats and translations can be found on our Information booklet page.

Register to vote

You must be registered in order to vote. The registration deadline for these elections is 31 October 2012.

More info and links here (http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/pcc.aspx)

[Vicky.]

We got our polling cards a few days ago, no idea what any of its about and if its even worth bothering. Generally with anything like this alll the candidates are the same :laugh:

[Scarlett.]

Maybe, it's a good idea though I think, since we will be able to hold people responsible for local police failings, I'll vote if I can find out enough info about who's up for election, lol

[Omah]

Dunno, as yet - the choosemypcc website is still awaiting candidates (due on 26th) ..... :idc:

[Scarlett.]

Dunno, as yet - the choosemypcc website is still awaiting candidates (due on 26th) ..... :idc:

Haha yeah, that's quite annoying :joker:

[Kizzy]

I don't agree with politicians being in charge of the police.
Police authorities were independently selected, this just takes more power away from the public.

[Livia]

Maybe, it's a good idea though I think, since we will be able to hold people responsible for local police failings, I'll vote if I can find out enough info about who's up for election, lol

Call electoral services at your local council Chewy. Nominations closed last Friday, so all the candidates will be registered now. There's a good choice of people generally, with lots of independents standing as well as reps of political parties.

[Scarlett.]

Call electoral services at your local council Chewy. Nominations closed last Friday, so all the candidates will be registered now. There's a good choice of people generally, with lots of independents standing as well as reps of political parties.

Wont they be on that website by tommorow though? I'm glad it sounds like there is a good amount of people standing too

[Livia]

Wont they be on that website by tommorow though? I'm glad it sounds like there is a good amount of people standing too

I guess... The whole thing has been a little bit low key so far. None of the political parties seem putting very much effort or cash into the campaign and up until now information has been quite sparse. It's a shame more effort hasn't been put into it, I think having a Police and Crime Commissioner is a good thing.

[billy123]

If Batman doesnt win im going to be pissed off.

[Livia]

If Batman doesnt win im going to be pissed off.

LOL... My Candidate was very disappointed when he found out he didn't get a Bat Signal.

[Kizzy]

I wonder if any of the candidates have a background in policing? Or something to show they have an indepth knowledge of the issues relating to the communities they serve?
Eagerly awaits conformation...

[Shaun]

We all got pollcards the other day... wasn't even aware anyone (other than the university) knew I was living here. Quite strange.

[Harry!]

Since I am over 18 on the 15th November this will be my first ever legal vote!

[Livia]

Has anyone voted yet?

[Kate!]

I'm keen to vote in this, the system needs a good kick in the arse (I do realise there is no guarantee of getting one, but they need to be answerable)

I've suffered intense anti social behaviour and have never felt supported to be honest. Even my MP was a load of bollocks.

:rolleyes:

[Kizzy]

Not as yet, will though. I recieved no booklet in the mail as we were promised ..

[Shaun]

Going to vote now :laugh:

[Livia]

I'm keen to vote in this, the system needs a good kick in the arse (I do realise there is no guarantee of getting one, but they need to be answerable)

I've suffered intense anti social behaviour and have never felt supported to be honest. Even my MP was a load of bollocks.

:rolleyes:

Yeah, unfortunately - and quite sadly - quite a few of 'em are a load of bollocks.

[Shaun]

There's only four candidates here - a lib dem, a tory, a labour and an independent. Independent it is :hugesmile:

[Livia]

Six candidates here... and as they're using the Single Transferable Vote, the count is going to be long and bloody awkward.

[Alf]

john prescott's a candidate in my area

[Livia]

john prescott's a candidate in my area

I thought you were kidding till I Googled it! An unlikely candidate, I would have thought.

[Harry!]

I did vote, we had 7 candidates for my area!

[MTVN]

I kinda worry that the whole thing is more about party politics than effective policing, if I'd voted it would have been for an Independent rather than a representative of a party who was just expected to direct the police along party lines

[arista]

John Prescott (the Over Cocky Old Git)
Lost to a Conservative Matt Grove


Utter Bliss

Thats Made my Day
Matt was 100- 1 with William Hill.

SkyNewsHD

[arista]

john prescott's a candidate in my area


Fecking lost
the Old Git

[MTVN]

Oh an Independent who's worked for the Police for 30 years won in my county, that's a pleasant surprise

[Livia]

Oh an Independent who's worked for the Police for 30 years won in my county, that's a pleasant surprise

Except... he stood as an independent after resigning from the Conservative Party because he was not chosen as their candidate. There was a reason he was not chosen. He led the interview panel that was responsible for employing two of the worst, most ineffective Chief Constables the county has ever known, both buddies of his. I've spoken to quite a few coppers today all of whom are at a loss that he's been elected as he's reponsible for a large slice of the mess they're in right now. I guess this is what happens when there isn't enough information out there for people to make an informed choice and the turnout is a paltry 15%. I'm devestated he got in. Speaking personally (and not professionally) I'd rather have had the Labour candidate, even the UKIP candidate would have been better.

Furthermore, he scraped in on the second choices vote. If it had been a first past the post system (which the public voted for) he would have come second. It's been a bloody shambles.

[arista]

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2012/11/16/204371/default/v1/mailnew-1-329x437.jpg

A punch in the nose for Prezza: Prescott loses police commissioner poll in his own back yard of Hull to a TORY

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2234091/PCC-election-John-Prescott-FAILS-bid-Humberside-police-commissioner.html#ixzz2CQyIN2xN

[Kizzy]

Except... he stood as an independent after resigning from the Conservative Party because he was not chosen as their candidate. There was a reason he was not chosen. He led the interview panel that was responsible for employing two of the worst, most ineffective Chief Constables the county has ever known, both buddies of his. I've spoken to quite a few coppers today all of whom are at a loss that he's been elected as he's reponsible for a large slice of the mess they're in right now. I guess this is what happens when there isn't enough information out there for people to make an informed choice and the turnout is a paltry 15%. I'm devestated he got in. Speaking personally (and not professionally) I'd rather have had the Labour candidate, even the UKIP candidate would have been better.

Furthermore, he scraped in on the second choices vote. If it had been a first past the post system (which the public voted for) he would have come second. It's been a bloody shambles.

Maybe he resigned because he didn't agree with slicing 6000 frontline police officers?
Best to stand down from a party that is destroying the police.
Getting your expert knowledge from PC's?
I thought they would have been aware that it's the home secretary that sets the policing strategies...not chief constables.

[joeysteele]

I wasn't surprised John Prescott didn't win, although it was close. I wouldn't have been a voter for him if I lived in Humberside but I do know loads of people who believed he would walk it anyway,so likely didn;t bother to vote for him.
It is one of those occasions where a bigger name doesn't get elected, like reading back through the General elections and big name Shirley Williams,who in the 80s, couldn't hold a seat at the point the then Alliance was riding as high as it got to.

Frankly though,overall in my opinion, I would have thought the £100million this exercise has cost could have been used far better anywhere else than this farce over the last few weeks.
To only have around an average 15% of the voters actually taking any interest and voting at all is a bigtime failure for this Govt and also a shocking waste of public funds on it too,especially at a time when this Govt is saying we have no 'spare' funds whatsover.

Watching Theresa May defending it all yesterday, just left me even more convinced than I already was, that she is absolutely one of the likely biggest wastes of space in Politics and the worst Home Secreteary we have ever had likely too.

[MTVN]

Except... he stood as an independent after resigning from the Conservative Party because he was not chosen as their candidate. There was a reason he was not chosen. He led the interview panel that was responsible for employing two of the worst, most ineffective Chief Constables the county has ever known, both buddies of his. I've spoken to quite a few coppers today all of whom are at a loss that he's been elected as he's reponsible for a large slice of the mess they're in right now. I guess this is what happens when there isn't enough information out there for people to make an informed choice and the turnout is a paltry 15%. I'm devestated he got in. Speaking personally (and not professionally) I'd rather have had the Labour candidate, even the UKIP candidate would have been better.

Furthermore, he scraped in on the second choices vote. If it had been a first past the post system (which the public voted for) he would have come second. It's been a bloody shambles.

Ah I actually meant my home county of Gloucestershire rather than Norfolk, Martin Surl won there

Martin Surl is a former superintendent with Gloucestershire Police.

He worked for the police force for more than 30 years as well as the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) in London on counter terrorism.

Mr Surl believes the first priority for the newly-elected PCC is to support the police and to reduce crime and criminality in Gloucestershire

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19478233

[arista]

Devon /Cornwall have Elected a Conservative

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20344090

thats good.

[Shaun]

Oh yay, the one I voted for won :love:

[Livia]

Ah I actually meant my home county of Gloucestershire rather than Norfolk, Martin Surl won there



Oh, I see. Well, I hope he's better than the unadulterated disaster that has been foisted on us.

[Kizzy]

I'm very happy with ours, Mark Burns-Williamson made one point that really made sense... Where does the money from the proceeds of crime act go?
Should it not be redirected back into fighting crime?