‘I challenge this PCC to provide an example’

The definition of the word politician is, “A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office.”

During elections, a great deal of us vote for the candidate we hope will represent us best. At the moment, I generally don’t feel any of the political parties fully represent me with the all too often approach of, “If it goes wrong it’s their fault and if it goes right it was our idea.” That said, I continue to use my vote and engage with the process as constructively as I can. 

However, voting for Police and Crime Commissioners should be considered in isolation to other elections. It’s sometimes assumed the role of the PCC is about operational policing. It isn’t – that’s the job of the Chief Constable, their officers and staff. It’s not for the PCC to tell the professionals how to do their job. Legislation continues to protect the operational independence of the police. It’s for this reason that the “independent” claim of some candidates must be carefully considered. 

During the last three years I think that some PCCs, regardless of political or independent affiliation, have actually done a good job. But this is down to the individuals themselves. 

I served as a member of the Police Authority alongside the incumbent PCC Sue Mountstevens for several years and can honestly say that at no time did I witness any political interference from the cross political and independent group. We engaged on the widest range of issues contributing with the senior Police team in making Avon and Somerset one of the most well regarding and effective Police forces in the country. 

Mountstevens began her term with a costly legal wrangle with the then Chief Constable. She said that she wanted to “ensure continuity during her tenure”. In three and a half years she’s had six Chief Constables. Government cuts have not been helped by this lack of cohesive leadership, seeing officer numbers fall, shift patterns and operational elements changed, reducing important neighbourhood and community engagement despite the best efforts of the officers. Talk of stations closing with a marked lack of communication and consultations with the communities they serve. 

The PCC has tried to cut payments to officers injured on duty. She was investigated and found to have committed a “serious error of judgement” after revealing the identity of a whistleblower. Her lack of engagement means she doesn’t speak out on significant regional and national issues which have an impact on the safety of our communities. All of this under a single banner of “keeping politics out of policing”. 

Mountstevens campaigns again on a platform of “keep politics out of policing” suggesting that political parties bankrolling candidates would at some point require their “pound of flesh”. I challenge this PCC to provide an example when legislation hasn’t stopped a PCC causing political interference as she continues to claim. 

I strongly believe that if independence or political affiliation is a candidate’s only platform without experience, integrity and compassion then they have no right to stand for election even if they can afford to financially support their own campaign. I would encourage people to look at each candidates’ experience, background, and their actions to date as well as their manifesto. 

I agree that political interference to the detriment of policing is indeed a bad thing. However, used in isolation, it’s a scare tactic by a candidate claiming to be the least political whilst proving to be the most political of all.

Pete Levy is a former Bristol City councillor who currently works as a media consultant. He ran as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner in 2012.

Read more: ‘We need to protect the front line’