Six in the running to be police commissioner (From This is Hampshire)

Six in the running to be police commissioner

12:00am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News

SIX candidates for Hampshire’s police commissioner elections have been revealed.

So far, Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, UKIP and independent candidates have announced that they are in the running for November 15 Hampshire and Isle of Wight elections, when the first police commissioner will be picked.

Former MP Michael Mates is the Conservative Party candidate and he has been joined by Lt Col Chris Brannigan as his running mate.

Lt Col Brannigan, a former tank commander in The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, is leaving the Army just before the election and has hopes to take the deputy role if Mr Mates wins the election.

Mr Mates said: “This is a very exciting development in providing our residents with a team of unparalleled experience.

“I am absolutely delighted that Chris has agreed to join me in this exciting election and, if we are successful, then we can deliver a unique solution for the future management of policing in our county. It will be a privilege to work alongside him.”

Independent candidate Simon Hayes, who has been a leader of New Forest District Council and a Hampshire county councillor, said: “I’m standing as an independent candidate because I believe party politics must be kept out of policing.

“Police can best protect the public against crime if they are free from party political interference. Party politics has its place in local democracy, but not in the context of police accountability to the citizen.

“As current chairman of Crimestoppers for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we have delivered the highest success rate against crime in the country for 2011/12.”

Former Hampshire Police Authority chairman Jacqui Rayment is the Labour candidate in the elections.

She said: “I have demonstrated that I will not let politics get in the way of doing what is right for the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Under my leadership if elected I will ensure that Hampshire is the best performing force at the lowest cost.

“I have constantly fought against privatisation but am happy to work in collaboration with other public sector organisations.

Liberal Democrat candidate David Goodall is the son of a retired Hampshire police inspector and the brother of a serving officer.

He works at an electronics engineering firm and has been elected as a member of Eastleigh Borough Council three times.

Mr Goodall said: “The most important issue facing the new Police and Crime Commissioner will be how to provide a good police service across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight given the current state of public finances.

“I believe the key is getting value for money by ensuring that police officers’ time is maximised doing police work and not paperwork.

Good use of technology and a cull of forms will be essential to achieve this.”

Simon West is standing on behalf of UKIP and Don Gerrard is representing the Justice and Anti-corruption Party.