Nottinghamshire people to vote on role of police commissioner
A CRIME commissioner would help to prevent a repeat of past poor performance by Notts Police, according to a Government minister.
The force was ranked as 'poor' in three categories after an inspection in 2010: local crime and policing, protection from serious harm and confidence and satisfaction.
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Councillor Jon Collins, chairman of Notts Police Authority, is critical of the commissioner role.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary also said it had "significant concerns" about the force following the report.
Policing Minister Nick Herbert said the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners would lead to greater accountability and reduce Whitehall interference in policing.
Speaking about periods during which Notts Police had performed below standard, Mr Herbert said: "If we'd had an elected Police and Crime Commissioner then, someone would have been accountable, someone would have been elected with the task of ensuring performance.
"Policing shouldn't be about box ticking, it should be about driving up standards and we want to put the power back into communities.
"The person who takes on the role will be hugely accountable – elections will be held every four years, so if people aren't happy with how the police are run they can vote them out."
People in Notts will vote on November 15 to say whether they want a commissioner.
The person elected will be responsible for appointing and dismissing chief constables, setting crime objectives and setting the force's budget.
Under the plans, there would also be a Police and Crime Panel – a body of ten councillors and two co-opted members – which would hold the commissioner to account.
Mr Herbert said: "It's a big job – whoever is elected will be a figurehead like the Mayor of London.
"I would like to see a range of people go for the role – not just politicians, but businessmen and women, people in the voluntary sector – those from a variety of walks of life."
Councillor Jon Collins, chairman of Notts Police Authority, was critical of the commissioner role.
He said: "Most people's concerns are not the form of governance of the police, but whether or not the police do a good or improving job.
"I think the evidence suggests that in Notts they are doing a better job, and crime is coming down significantly.
"What is the problem that the police commissioner is going to solve?"
Mr Collins said he will not go for the job.
11 Comments
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by angryperson2
Thursday, February 16 2012, 10:35PM
“Authority means power, and unfortunately the main problem with society, and the policing and handling of crime and the 'so-called' criminals in this city, and the snowballing effect that will continue to manifold is due to the 'abuse of that power' that is placed in the hand of the Authorities, that use and abuse their positions to feed their predjudices, their personal hatreds and discriminations, without question, consequence, or reprimand. And the very few that are decent, and do believe in a fair justice system, a fair trial, treating people as human beings , are not speaking up about the corruption, predjudice, discrimination, abuse, and inhumane way in which colleagues conduct themselves in their position of authority. This is why things will never change. There will always be segregation. A class and race divide. Because thats how the government want it. Thats how the country wants it. And as we have seen from last years events..those in power, can even change the Law at the drop of a hat when it comes to 'clearing the streets of certain classes and races. Without that Law even being passed as Law??”
by respectnottm
Thursday, February 16 2012, 9:53PM
“What we need is effective police. it should not be a role for a council or councillor but for an independed with knowledge of crime and how it is tackled. This may also begin to identify the solution to the community policing that the council operates. the council should not have its own policy or warden and it should be left to the police with proper powers to manage
time for a change”
by harrystotle1
Thursday, February 16 2012, 9:21PM
“If it gets shot of Jon Collins it can only be good.
I cannot for the life of me understand what the Police Authority wwere thinking when they made Jon Collins chairman. The man has repeatedly failed to improve the poor performance of the City Council. Who on earth would think that he was the man to imprrove the performance of Notts Police ?”
by mof_gedling
Thursday, February 16 2012, 9:15PM
“its not about money (but yes you can earn a fair wedge on all those committee's), its about power, cant have someone more powerful can we, bassoon check the mirror out in the background, no reflection,”
by Rocky033
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:39PM
“Councillor Jon Collins, chairman of Notts Police Authority, was critical of the commissioner role - wonder why,
oh
1. he is out of one of his jobs.
2. Worried no one will vote for him.
3. He might have to start working for a living, I haven't heard any mention JC being in an actual paid work.”
by Shat_Bassoon
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:28PM
“why does this article have that picture of a zombie about a quarter of the way down?”
by kent14
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:16PM
“why not just sack these failed high earners without a massive payoff. maybe they will start earning their fat cat salary or does collins just want to create another job for the boys.”
by FormerlyW
Thursday, February 16 2012, 3:23PM
“It's a con. Elected police commissioners allow the Government to claim that they are doing something and giving more power to the people, without actually putting any thought or effort into the real issues of how to make the police function more effectively. Then when it doesn't work (as it probably won't if they don't change anything to do with policing but just mess around with governance), they can place the blame on the elected commissioner rather than accepting responsibility for failing to to their own job of running the country.”
by andyshort761
Thursday, February 16 2012, 2:57PM
“ÐолиÑÐ¸Ñ ÐºÐ¾Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ð´Ð°Ð½Ñ Ðоллинз (Police Commandant Collins) - The title shoud be right up his street !!”
by qzectbum
Thursday, February 16 2012, 1:05PM
“Spot on Magpie.”