Gwent Police Authority is asking for people’s views on Government plans to introduce elected police commissioners.
The Government wants to replace 43 Police Authorities with 43 elected Police and Crime Commissioners.
Gwent Police Authority has said it has “serious reservations” about the Government plans due to the cost of holding elections, the ability of one individual to represent residents in Gwent and the potential for political interference in policing.
Mick Giannasi, the Chief Constable of Gwent Police, has already voiced his opposition to the plan in a letter to Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central.
Gwent Police Authority Chair Cilla Davies said: “Gwent Police Authority believe that the Government’s plans are being rushed through following a very short consultation period.
“We have deep concerns that there is little or no clarity on important aspects of the proposals such as the cost implications and we would also ask how one person can replace the 17 members that we currently have in Gwent offering a wide range of skills and knowledge and representing the many diverse communities in Gwent.
“As we are living in austere times the cost of replacing 43 well established organisations with 43 new organisations should in our view be a key area and yet the Government have released no official figures for these plans.
“We would like to know what Gwent residents think about the proposals, and also what they think about the current Police Authority structure which we believe is effective, politically neutral and offers good value for money.
“Residents are invited to complete a short online survey which can be accessed on the Gwent Police Authority site at www.gwentpa.police.uk”
The survey will be available until October 15 and results from the survey will be published soon after.