2016 Police and Crime Commissioner Election

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have now been in post since the first election across England and Wales on 15th November 2012. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on the public's behalf.

The PCC oversees how crime is tackled in their area and aims 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 prior
deciding how the budget will be spent
appointing Chief Constables and dismissing them if needed

On Thursday, 5th May, communities have the opportunity to deliver their judgement on how well this duty has been discharged since November 2012 and to vote for who will represent them over the next 4 years.

The 4 candidates are:

John Dwyer – Conservative. See www.johndwyer.org.uk

Top Priorities:

More visible front-line police officers – 2,053 by March 2017
Enhancing community policing – officers and PCSOs where you need them most
Ensuring every penny of taxpayers' money is spent wisely
Giving officers the tools and technology they need to solve crimes
Developing support for victims through the Cheshire CARES service

David Keane – Labour. See www.davidkeane4cheshirepcc.co.uk

Top Priorities:
Everyone should feel safe in their home
Victims are at the heart of our work
Defending frontline policing is vital
We will revive community policing
We must protect vulnerable people

Neil Christopher Lewis – Liberal. See www.facebook.com/NeilLewis4CheshirePCC

Key Pledges:

Keep us safe online – CyberSafeCheshire
More Feet on the Beat
Save money and deliver better performance
Protect vulnerable people and drive crime prevention
Be your independent representative in Cheshire Police HQ
Re-think rural and urban roads

Johnathan Starkey – UKIP. www.jonathanstarkey.co.uk

Top Priorities:
Record all crime and improve ease of reporting
Be visible, approachable and alert to the communities he serves
Invest in community initiatives based on a zero tolerance approach
Use cost-effective new technology
Ensure better representation of the community and improved communications
Transparency and scrutiny of performance against an agreed Local Police and Crime Plan

Because we have more than two candidates for this election you can vote for a first and second choice of who you want to win. The ballot sheet will have two columns, with your first choice candidate marked in the first column and, if you choose, your second choice candidate marked in column two. The first preferences are counted, and if a candidate has received more than 50% of the votes cast they are elected. If you make a mistake you can ask the polling staff to give you a replacement ballot paper.

If no candidate has more than 50% of the votes, all candidates apart from those in first and second place are eliminated. The ballot papers showing a first preference for the eliminated candidates are checked for their second preference. Any second preference votes for the two remaining candidates are then added to the candidates' first preference votes and the candidate with the most votes wins.

You can register your vote between 7.00 am and 10 pm at Tarvin community Centre. The turnout for the first PCC election was extremely low, but decisions in policing policy can have a great effect on the quality of life in communities. So no matter who you favour in this election, at least a high turnout locally will demonstrate that Tarvin Parish cares about the service we receive.