County prepares for change to an elected head of police
Wednesday, 9th May 2012.
In November residents will be required to elect a police commissioner to run the whole policing service for Suffolk, and this morning community leaders met to find out more about the changes.
Major constitutional change in policing will take place when police authorities are abolished and replaced by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
This morning Suffolk Police Authority, in anticipation of these significant changes, welcomed over 140 representatives from local authorities, community safety partners, criminal justice bodies, health and well-being partners and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, to the police headquarters in Martlesham to learn more.
The partnership seminar, led by police authority chairman, Joanna Spicer, gave delegates the opportunity to find out more about the role of the PCC and the Police and Crime Panel and explore the implications of the reforms for the police, partners and the people of Suffolk.
Delegates took part in discussion sessions to help identify the outstanding actions that need to be taken by the Suffolk Police Authority and its partners to prepare for the introduction of the PCC and influence plans to address current and future policing and community safety challenges.
Mrs Spicer, speaking after the event, said: “This was an important event for us; an opportunity for the police authority to work directly with partners to prepare for the significant changes that the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner will inevitably bring.
“I was extremely impressed by the level of attendance; it shows that community organisations are keen to be fully prepared for the changes and understand their role within this new process.
“Once in place, the PCC will engage with partners to produce a Police and Crime Plan. Today’s seminar provided an excellent opportunity for us to discuss how best to satisfy these requirements and how partners can influence future arrangements. We also explored future policing and community safety needs and priorities.”
She added, “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the transition to the PCC in November is smooth and successful.”
Speakers at today’s event were David Ruffley MP, Amobi Modu, head of the Home Office Community Safety Unit; Deborah Cadman, chief executive of Suffolk County Council; and Simon Ash, Chief Constable of Suffolk.
Major constitutional change in policing will take place when police authorities are abolished and replaced by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
This morning Suffolk Police Authority, in anticipation of these significant changes, welcomed over 140 representatives from local authorities, community safety partners, criminal justice bodies, health and well-being partners and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, to the police headquarters in Martlesham to learn more.
The partnership seminar, led by police authority chairman, Joanna Spicer, gave delegates the opportunity to find out more about the role of the PCC and the Police and Crime Panel and explore the implications of the reforms for the police, partners and the people of Suffolk.
Delegates took part in discussion sessions to help identify the outstanding actions that need to be taken by the Suffolk Police Authority and its partners to prepare for the introduction of the PCC and influence plans to address current and future policing and community safety challenges.
Mrs Spicer, speaking after the event, said: “This was an important event for us; an opportunity for the police authority to work directly with partners to prepare for the significant changes that the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner will inevitably bring.
“I was extremely impressed by the level of attendance; it shows that community organisations are keen to be fully prepared for the changes and understand their role within this new process.
“Once in place, the PCC will engage with partners to produce a Police and Crime Plan. Today’s seminar provided an excellent opportunity for us to discuss how best to satisfy these requirements and how partners can influence future arrangements. We also explored future policing and community safety needs and priorities.”
She added, “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the transition to the PCC in November is smooth and successful.”
Speakers at today’s event were David Ruffley MP, Amobi Modu, head of the Home Office Community Safety Unit; Deborah Cadman, chief executive of Suffolk County Council; and Simon Ash, Chief Constable of Suffolk.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)