Should Elected Police Commissioners belong to Political Parties?

[Gromit]

// Two parliamentary by-elections have been triggered after Labour MPs Alun Michael and Tony Lloyd stood down from the House of Commons to fight for election as police and crime commissioners. //

[youngmafbog]

No, not of any political persuasion.

[AB Editor]

No. Politicising the police at all is a very poor idea.

[modeller]

My first reaction was No but everyone has a political opinion and if they carry a party badge we would at least get some idea of how effective they might be.
I say might as Camerons alleged 'Hug a Hoodie ' speech and appointing
Ken Clarke

Why are they standing at all ?
Could it be for a lot more pay ( up to £100k )?
Could it be for a more guaranteed tenure of 4 years ?

[Canary42]

If you appoint someone by ballot you can't be accused of anything if they turn out to be rogues (e.g. Cameron appointing Andy Coulson)

[modeller]

misskeyed ,cont. appointing Ken Clarke as justice secretary put into doubt,
the Tories' attitude to crime.

[Gromit]

Tony Lloyd has been an MP for nearly 30 years. Maybe he wants to live and work locally instead of in London.

[Davethedog]

My problem with this, is your electing people who have no idea about policing, it cannot be helpful. You can't escape the political aspect, but the lack of experience regards police means there cannot be a happy outcome.

Why is it whenever the Torys get into power the "Americanise" us.

[modeller]

I don't know how we are expected to choose from a bunch of unknowns.
Unless they will be doing a leaflet drop and even that is not much help.

[Gromit]

^ ^ ^

Never heard of Google

[Gromit]

modeller.

A starting point.

http://en.wikipedia.o...ioner_elections,_2012

[Baldric]

We've had our Polling Cards, (East Kent) and a website address given out by local BBC News channel and that's it, so far.
If they can't do more to get elected, how effective will they be at the job?
To be honest, if they can't be bothered, neither can I.

[rockyracoon]

Baldric, I agree entirely, there's been no leaflet drop, nothing in the local rags, I don't think I should have to actively hunt down information on the candidates, this will in all likelihood be the only election I've never voted in. And, no, I don't think they should belong to a political party.

[woofgang]

a good website here. I do think its our duty to find out information and to vote, and am pleased to see an election where money and trees aren't wasted delivering pamphlets.

http://www.policeelections.com

[ichkeria]

The Labour candidate in our county will be leafletting very shortly!

[modeller]

woofgang That was an excellent link which enabled me to read up what each candidate had to say for my area and from that, I know who I will vote for., the Labour man . He had the most experience and had spent the most time doing a good presentation. This was not a political decision he appeared to be the best man for the job.

[andy-hughes]

It's acknowldged that anyone with party politicval affiliations has a distinct advantage in running for these posts.

They have the party machine behind them - including access to polling and leafleting, as well as potential assistance with the £5,000 deposit fee.

Most independent individuals have been prevented from applying because the financial cost of campaigning is simply too high.

This sets a worrying precident - that only rich individuals or political types will be standing - wheras what is needed is someone with appropriate experience, but no political bias.

Just for a change - the whole thing is decending into farce - underlined by the fact that John Prescott is standing for his area! I'm glad i don't live where he is - I wouldn't vote for him to walk my dog round the block if I had one.

[Baldric]

We've now had 1 leaflet delivered, Independant, Female, publicity photo' shows her with Martin Bell.
No thanks!

[ichkeria]

On the other hand, is there any such thing as an "independent individual"? Or "non-political" individual"?
Local councils run our local services and they largely consist of party political bods, for better or worse. I would rather vote for a party candidate because at least I know something about the organisation sponsoring them.