Police and Crime Commissioner Elections - The Herald Guide

AS WELL as picking assembly members on May 5, voters will also be choosing who they want to be the next police and crime commissioner (PCC).

This handy Herald guide gives you the low down on all the candidates standing in Dyfed-Powys. In all cases the material has been prepared by the candidates or their agents, and not this newspaper.

RICHARD WILFRID CHURCH

OVER 300 people are killed or seriously injured each year on Dyfed Powys roads, so I will make road safety and safer driving one of my key priorities. The consequences of each casualty extends far beyond each individual involved to families, neighbours and whole communities. The Police need to work with councils, the Welsh Government and others to tackle this appalling loss of life on our roads.

Police accountability happens best at the most local level.

My focus will be to act as the catalyst to build and strengthen links between the police and the communities they serve, and to involve local community leaders in my decisions.

The Police Commissioner needs to build links with special interest groups, such as the farming community, vulnerable people, victims of domestic abuse, ethnic minorities and others to understand their needs, to know how best to prevent crime and to ensure that all people are treated fairly. The Police Commissioner needs to rebuild the morale of our Police force after a series of poor HMIC inspections. The Commissioner needs to take some responsibility when things go wrong, and end the denial of poor performance reports.

I will cut the costs of the Police Commissioners Office to invest in front line policing and I will oppose moves to extend the powers of Police Commissioners into other services. Police Commissioners were created without public consent, and I will press for their replacement by elected councillors.

Living in Welshpool I understand the concern that the far flung parts of Dyfed Powys area feel neglected. As a former member of a police authority and a former councillor with many years’ experience I believe I am well qualified to take on this role.

WILLIAM EDMUND VINCENT JOHN DAVIES

I AM A LOCAL man having been born and bred in St Clears and have lived there all my life. Over many years, I have participated in the Social and Welfare activities throughout the whole area of Dyfed.

Having had the distinction of being elected an INDEPENDENT member of the Dyfed County Council for the whole period of it’s existence (1973 – 1996), the knowledge gained as a Senior Scientific Officer in both private and public industries has given me valuable and widespread experience in dealing with the needs, aspirations and well being of people and communities.

We are fortunate to live in a democratic Country which allows free speech and for individuals to have different political preferences. Consequently, an elected Police Commissioner should not be influenced by Party Politics in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. Each and every one must be treated on an equal basis in the eyes of the Law. The vast of the majority of you and every serving police officer are in total agreement with these sentiments.

The last few years have seen the influence of Party Politics manifesting itself in the disruptive running of our Police Force. The controversy surrounding the Police helicopter, the handling of closure of Police Stations, removal of several CCTV cameras, increase in crime, public safety and several other serious matters. I can give my ASSURANCE that these concern will be addressed as quickly as possible after the May 5th Election.

One has always acted with TOTAL HONESTY and COMPLETE INTEGRITY at all times and I shall continue to do so if entrusted with your CONFIDENCE on May 5th as your INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONER.

DAFYDD LLYWELYN

AS YOUR Commissioner, the security and safety of Dyfed Powys will always come before party politics.

I will provide a leadership you can trust and work with the Chief Constable to deliver a motivated workforce within an efficient and effective model for local Policing and Criminal Justice.

TRUST & EFFICIENCY

I am approachable and will listen to all members of the community in order to shape a successful Police Force. Reducing bureaucracy and ensuring open access to the Police and Criminal Justice will be a priority.

I will hold public meetings across the Force – open to everyone;
I will not appoint an unelected Deputy Commissioner and I will reduce external consultant costs;
I will increase the use of volunteers and keep local stations and offices open;
I will not privatise core police support functions that will fragment the delivery of services.

SECURITY & SAFETY

The safety of everyone in Dyfed and Powys is important to me across all our communities, both rural and urban. Preventing crime and antisocial behaviour will be prioritised to reduce demand for services alongside the resourcing of serious, organised and on-line crime. I will ensure victims have a voice and are fully supported with the services they need.

I will ensure that front line policing is supported and resourced in line with the needs of the public;
I will invest in a modern CCTV infrastructure to improve the safety of our towns and communities;
I will support and fund services for our youth and vulnerable groups;
I will work with local authority departments, charities and communities;
I will resource specialist units to deal with serious, organised and online crime;
I will prioritise the safety of our roads, targeting reckless drivers and protecting road users.

KEVIN MADGE

MY PROMISE to the people of Dyfed Powys is to provide a police service that will be fair, honest and reliable.

I have lived in the Dyfed Powys area all my life. As your Commissioner I would prioritise front line policing and always put victims first. I want to concentrate on the issues that matter to the people of Dyfed Powys – tackling crime and anti-social behaviour head on, strengthening community policing and combatting drugs and domestic abuse.

As your Police Commissioner, I will work with our dedicated police officers and staff, our rural and urban communities and other public bodies to deliver a police service which is strong, responsive and fair.

If you elect me on May 5th, my priorities will be:

Extra police officers on the beat in towns and villages across Dyfed Powys – by shifting all possible resources to front line policing.
Restoring live CCTV camera coverage at key times in antisocial behaviour and crime hotspots.
A focus on combating domestic abuse and improving specialist support services in Dyfed Powys.
Bringing police officers closer to the communities they serve by opening more community police rooms in schools and other local facilities.
New initiatives to combat the scourge of drug dealers and drug abuse in Dyfed Powys.
Establish a new Countryside Crime Unit to meet the distinct needs of our rural communities.

DESMOND CECIL PARKINSON

I WAS BORN and brought up in Brecon and I now live in Arddleen, Montgomeryshire with my wife Regine.

I spent 29 years of my life in the Dyfed-Powys Police, retiring in the rank of chief superintendent in the post of national secretary of the Superintendent’s Association of England and Wales. During my police career I worked in Carmarthen (twice), Llanelli, Fishguard, Aberystwyth, and Newtown.

I am a great supporter of the Dyfed-Powys Police and the people it serves. I believe I understand policing and know how it can be best organised to work in the interests of the public. My core beliefs are:-

That policing is at its best when it is local.
That cuts to front line policing and police stations should be avoided whenever possible.
That where cuts have to be made they should be made to back office functions.
That police officers and civilian staff need to be supported in carrying out their often difficult and dangerous duties, not criticised, as so often happens now.

CHRISTOPHER TANGYE ROBERT SALMON

YOUR safety is my priority. I grew up on a farm in Powys, before becoming an Army officer. Now I live in Carmarthenshire. I am determined to keep all our communities safe in these tough times.

Since my election as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012, crime and anti-social behaviour are down 12%, more than anywhere else in Wales. I have delivered more police officers in our towns and villages. They are spending over 100,000 extra hours on the beat keeping you safe. I have scrapped bureaucratic targets, so officers can do what they do best – preventing crime and catching criminals.

I have saved your money to invest in frontline policing. Your police cost local households 5% less than when I was elected. I have delivered safer communities and lower household bills.

I want Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys to be even safer. I want to protect our poorest and most vulnerable; when they are safe, we are all safe.

Safer Homes. I will: increase support for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, to help them rebuild their lives; tackle drugs and alcohol; and ensure offenders pay their dues and put their lives in order.

Safer Work. I will: introduce a business forum, to protect businesses from the costs of crime; improve capacity to tackle cyber crime; support fraud victims; and prioritise road safety.

Safer Communities. I will: prioritise frontline officers, to prevent crime; introduce Special Constables for every community that wants one; and give more control to local people to tackle speeding.

I have the experience. I have the plan. Now I am asking for your support on May 5th to keep us safe for the next four years.