Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert has been granted the Labour Party nomination as its Gwent candidate for May’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.
Former Welsh Government minister Mr Cuthbert is standing down as an Assembly Member – a position he has held since 2003.
Speaking of his nomination he said: “I look forward to campaigning for our values of social justice, tolerance and respect.
“I want to build on partnership working with all communities across Gwent and particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“Because the police cannot resolve crime and antisocial behaviour by themselves I want to develop stronger relationships with the Welsh Government, other key public service providers, and relevant voluntary organisations, in the fields of health and social services, education, housing and transport.
“I look forward to the campaign and, if elected, to use my experience as a former Welsh Government minister, to work hard for the people of Gwent in partnership with other public services.”
Current PCC for Gwent Ian Johnston, who stood as an independent, has yet to announce if he is standing in this year’s election.
Former councillor Darren Jones, from Blackwood, has been chosen by Plaid Cymru as its PCC candidate for Gwent.
At last, an opportunity to consider who will represent the residents best between The Public and The Police, and who will best deal with the actions of the current Police Commissioner in overseeing the following issues. And I dont see that he has done anything about preventing it.
The almost complete closure of police stations
The almost complete removal of Police Constables off our Streets.
The almost complete failure of crime reporting processes, you can no longer go into a `local` police station, it is almost impossible to speak to a Police Constable for advice or to report issues of concern. and if one is `lucky` to be able to get an answer from the 101 telephone number you acrually speak to a civillian call centre employee who has very little or no local geographical knowledge.
Would a NEW Commissioner have a better understanding of consulting the residents of Gwent on crime and police issues which directly effect us all?.Would he or she be better qualified and exrepienced in the ways of speaking directly to the residents? , would a new commissioner do a better job of ensuring the residents of Gwent are properly engaged with, on all policing matters.?
Would a New Commissioner ensure that the residents of the County are placed at the heart of all public policing issues, The Current Commissioner does not do so.
So, perhaps it is time for a change, and a change that ensures Any new Commissioner DOES NOT HAVE A DESK IN THE CHIEF CONSTABLES OFFICE. but one who would maintain a certain `Independence` in representing the public.
Jobs for the boys!!
Yes it wil be if Jeff Cuthbert wins. I hope we get some strong candidates to choose from who will promise to deliver a police force that listens to the people, not the ‘Welsh Governement’ or ‘key service providers’, the police of Great Britain should perform their role with the consent and approval of the people, not the establishment.
I question the mentality who vote for politicians and party members to be PCCs. There should be a requirement to make them former officers.
Absolute rubbish, It is as result of the current incumbent being a sycophantic friend of the highest ranking police officers, and vise versa, that we get a Commissioner who is a former Police Officer, as is his appointed Deputy, who cannot properly, keep police stations open, keep qualified Police Constables on the beat. And, one who is unable due to the `politics of the internal doings of the Gwent Police` to properly engage with, and listen to, Residents. Voters? Electors? Politicians are best at this.
A politician is not interested in keeping police stations open, or engaging with people, a politician is only interested in promoting the ideals of the party they represent. It is trying to take over the police force by the back door. It is essentially creating another Home Secretary with less power.
“I will give a voice to the public” This is a part of the `Oath` taken by the Police and Crime Commissioner, in Gwent he has failed to do that. That means failure in my book.
The Gwent Crime and Police Commissioner has qiute synically dismantled most if not all public engagement systems previously in existance in Gwent, taking the public even further from the Police Force organisation in Gwent, He has overseen not just the reduction in Qualified Police Constables but the removal of them from the streets of the County, he has privitised the one system which kept members of the public informed of crime issues in the communities of Gwent, resulting in the leader of that organisation to `Resign`. He has closed police stations police offices, and removed most Police Constables from the replacement ` police desks` he has set up to replace police stations, he has falied to consult the residents in any meaningful way about his actions, so, HE HAS FAILED IN ONE VERY IMPORTANT OATH, “I will give a voice to the public,”
Unless you know different of course?,