Police Commissioner candidates debate at the St Nicholas Centre, Ipswich. Centre is Jane Basham.

Suffolk: Police commissioners candidates face the public ahead of election

By Lauren Everitt Friday, October 26, 2012
9:04 AM

SUFFOLK residents got the chance to put their questions to the candidates battling for the role of the county’s first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Police Commissioner candidates debate at the St Nicholas Centre, Ipswich.

Around 100 people packed into the St Nicholas Centre in Ipswich last night to quiz the four candidates - Conservative’s Tim Passmore, Labour’s Jane Basham, UKIP’s Bill Mountford and Independent candidate David Cocks - in the debate organised by BBC Suffolk and the East Anglian Daily Times.

Heated debate ensued as questions were fired at the candidates from members of the audience covering issues such as why they should be elected as Suffolk’s PCC, potential privatisation of the police and former Scotland Yard boss Ian Blair telling the public not to vote in the PCC election.

Discussing the relationship between the PCC and chief constable, Mr Mountford said: “The operational integrity of the police should not be interfered with.

“I see myself as doing what I already do as a county councillor. Crime affects everyone’s day-to-day life.”

Police Commissioner candidates debate at the St Nicholas Centre, Ipswich. Left to right, Tim Passmore, Bill Mountford, Terry Baxter, Jane Basham and David Cocks.

Speaking about police budget cuts Mr Passmore told the audience: “You don’t solve problems by chucking money at them.

“We, as a nation, are in dire straits financially, but by pooling resources and co-operation and collaboration, money will be brought out of resources each year.

“We should be looking to get more special constables, as we have a good track record for that, and they have the same powers as full-time officers.”

Mr Cocks pledged to not allow officer numbers to fall further.

He said: “We are a relatively small police force and one thing we can’t do is to allow officer numbers to fall further.

“It’s very important to retain the numbers and find a way to deploy more resources.”

Speaking about privatisation Ms Basham said she is completely opposed to the concept.

“Nobody should profit from crime and there are already examples in Suffolk of how privatisation has not worked,” she added. “We need to engage with staff as some have really interesting ideas to save money and that’s where we should start.”

The PCC will have the responsibility for leading the strategic direction of local policing, working alongside chief constables.

People will head to the polls to cast their vote on Thursday, November 15.

The debate will be broadcast on BBC Suffolk at noon today.

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5 comments

I am surprised that the media have never taken on Mr Cameron over this issue. Recently the public in ten major cityies got the right to vote for or against having a mayor who would have the same responsibility for the police as is to be given to police commisars. 9 of the 10 cities threw out Camerons proposal. Clear evidence that the public do not want that sort of power in the hands of a single person. Why is the media not asking why Cameron has held no referendum on this issue. I and the public know, as a result of the expenses scandal, that at least 50% of politicians are self seeking low life crooks out to fleece the taxpayer by fiddling their expenses and other criminal behaviour. The assumption must be that the same percentage of police commisioners will be criminals. Who is going to check hisher expenses who is going to check on their free holidays, free flights in private jets and other backhanders that are part of the everyday life of the majority of politicians past and present. More importantly is the fact that every criminal and terrorist organisation in the world are delighted at the prospect of controling the police forces of England as they do in many parts of the world including a number of major cities in the USA. It is relatively easy to bribe, threaten, frighten or blackmail a single police officer or a single political appointed commissioner. Once an organisation has power over a commisioner they can control the sacking of good chief constables and impose their own appointed police chief who they also control. Many Cities in the world are controoled by criminals it could happen here. It is a lot more difficult to control a police authority made up of elected councilors, magistrates and persons of repute living and working within the respective police areas. Mr Ian Blair was useless as a Met police chief but he and Charles Clark the former MP for Norwich and past Home Secretary are right these elections should be scrapped and the whole nonsense put in the garbage can were it should have stayed after Cameron came up with the idea when working as an aide to Ken Clark the worst Home Secretary this country has ever had. Copy to the editor as a letter from me Regards Davd Fisk (a retired Det Ch Supt)

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David T Fisk

Sunday, October 28, 2012
I have to echo what Supernova6 states, I cannot understand the problem of the Suffolk Police Authority who are well run and transparent. the previous chair was excellent, look forward to a new Chief Constable in the not too distant future who has the strength and conviction similar to Paul Scott Lee previously

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Joseph Marshall

Saturday, October 27, 2012
No candidate should be allowed to stand on a party political platform. All candidates should be non-aligned and genuinely independent but of course we live the real world and all or most candidates will have some past or current political "baggage". As voters we cannot be sure that a candidate contesting these elections on a political party platform will heed the wishes of the voters but instead tow the party line. It's not good for policing in general.

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Steve Blake

Friday, October 26, 2012
I wonder how much the Police and Crime Commissioner will receive in wages? Allowing the Police to be overseen by anyone with political tendancies will be a complete disaster. As they will have their own agenda's. We don't need commissioners WE NEED POLICE ON THE STREETS.!!!!!

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Merlinmax

Friday, October 26, 2012
The police had better brush up on their `awareness of issues` if Ms Basham gets the vote. A disaster is in the offing.

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Supernova6

Friday, October 26, 2012