THE former boss of a Suffolk equality charity has been chosen as Labour’s candidate for the county’s police comissioner.

Suffolk Police Authority is to be replaced by a new elected Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner in November. The role carries with it the power to set priorities for the force, hold it to account, and to hire and fire the chief constable.

Labour has today announced its candidate will be Jane Basham, the previous chief executive of the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality.

Ms Basham has pledged to listen and work with the people of Suffolk in cutting crime, not police.

She said: “I’m honoured to be selected as the Labour candidate for Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner.

“These are complex times for policing, and I know from my time working with Suffolk Police that we have a dedicated team of police personnel, including volunteers, working to keep us safe.

“I am determined to help people feel safe on the street and I am committed to listening to victims of crime, officers and PCSOs on the frontline and everyone working to combat crime and disorder across our county.

“As commissioner I would bring real connections with communities and a focus on victims that is vital to preventing and detecting crime, including organized crime.

“A key duty of the PCC is to ensure the police are accountable to their public.

“I have track record in delivering such accountability and developing creative partnerships that work for the benefit of all.

“This Tory-led Government are making cuts to Policing that go too far, too fast, in Suffolk we are set to lose 68 Officers. I want to stand up for communities and work with the people of Suffolk in cutting crime, not police. “