The police have now crossed a historical rubicon, though individual officers will always be apolitical. The new Police Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will find politics is an unresistable force. As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said “There is nothing more unaesthetic than a policeman”. I believe there will nothing more political than a PCC. This is regardless of party allegiance or if independent. Anyone who for one minute is denying that it is political, needs only to look at Simon Weston Falklands Veteran who recently withdrew from the contest in the South Wales contest due to politicisation of the role.
The police have now crossed a historical rubicon, though individual officers will always be apolitical. The new Police Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will find politics is an unresistable force. As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said “There is nothing more unaesthetic than a policeman”. I believe there will nothing more political than a PCC. This is regardless of party allegiance or if independent. Anyone who for one minute is denying that it is political, needs only to look at Simon Weston Falklands Veteran who recently withdrew from the contest in the South Wales contest due to politicisation of the role.
I welcome the opportunity to vote for my PPC and any drive by politicians or other interested parties to make it appear a non event is risky. It is not in the interests of parties or individuals to have a low turnout, anyone believes that, has it very wrong. I believe people will turn out and vote for their PCC as it is the first time in history of policing this has occurred.
People will vote over issues such as Anti Social Behaviour, a more visible police presence in their streets and politicians will seek closer working with the police. Crime amongst young people as perpetrators or as victims is one of the issues that the media has a preference for reporting. I do not believe that the election of PCCs in Wiltshire or anywhere else will be predictable and there is bound to be some shocks in store!