Harry Hayfield
Green
Cavalier Gentleman (as in 17th century Cavalier)
Posts: 2,757 
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Post by Harry Hayfield on Aug 16, 2018 21:42:04 GMT
A little early, yes, but the reason is this tweet from the office of the PCC for Dorset
What effect could mergers have on the PCC elections (especially if a Lab area merges with a Con area)?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2018 23:13:27 GMT
I'm relatively open to changes in territorial police forces, if done sensibly and with care. But merging Dorset with Devon & Cornwall doesn't make practical sense - the border between the two areas is rather small and in some sense a natural border - that area of Dorset and Devon is extremely hilly. The 'long' shape of it is also a problem - you'd be hard pushed to create a police force covering the same size (area wise) with a longer travel time between the two furthest apart points.
If mergers are necessary, then Dorset with Hampshire and/or Wiltshire would make more sense.
Either way, it makes the role of PCC even more ridiculous - a sole elected official responsible for police covering such a large area and population isn't sensible IMO. My personal solution (controversial it may be, and not just in the case of merged police forces) would be to replace PCCs with proportionally elected 'police boards' of 10 members or so plus another 5 or so appointed on the basis of expertise. A more realistic alternative would be to go back to the system prior to their introduction.
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peterl
Green
Monarchic Technocratic Localist
Posts: 8,047
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Post by peterl on Aug 17, 2018 17:40:44 GMT
I was aware of the proposed merger and have responded to the consultation. (I am sad enough to be on the PCC's mailing list). Given the more limited and rather ineffective system of political oversight of policing, I am less concerned about this proposal than the council mergers. My only real concern was that the amalgamation didn't mean some people get higher council tax during a transition phase.
I'm actually rather in favour of a police board with elected members - maybe one or two councillors to reflect the anti-social behaviour responsibility, a small number of members with expertise and the rest elected, probably on the basis of local government districts proportionally allocated seats.
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neilm
Non-Aligned
Posts: 25,023
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Post by neilm on Aug 18, 2018 18:11:25 GMT
I will be writing to oppose this.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2018 10:27:57 GMT
The Devon & Cornwall PCC has now ruled the merger out (thankfully, IMO).
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Post by swanarcadian on Oct 6, 2018 12:48:43 GMT
I felt compelled to remove the apostrophe in the thread title (PCC's is now PCCs).
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Khunanup
Lib Dem
Portsmouth Liberal Democrats
Posts: 11,516
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PCCs 2020
Oct 6, 2018 13:03:01 GMT
via mobile
Post by Khunanup on Oct 6, 2018 13:03:01 GMT
I'm relatively open to changes in territorial police forces, if done sensibly and with care. But merging Dorset with Devon & Cornwall doesn't make practical sense - the border between the two areas is rather small and in some sense a natural border - that area of Dorset and Devon is extremely hilly. The 'long' shape of it is also a problem - you'd be hard pushed to create a police force covering the same size (area wise) with a longer travel time between the two furthest apart points. If mergers are necessary, then Dorset with Hampshire and/or Wiltshire would make more sense. Either way, it makes the role of PCC even more ridiculous - a sole elected official responsible for police covering such a large area and population isn't sensible IMO. My personal solution (controversial it may be, and not just in the case of merged police forces) would be to replace PCCs with proportionally elected 'police boards' of 10 members or so plus another 5 or so appointed on the basis of expertise. A more realistic alternative would be to go back to the system prior to their introduction. I'm not sure if you know but elected police boards is still, I think, Lib Dem party policy (it certainly was pre-coalition)... |
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middyman
Conservative
"The problem with socialism is that, sooner or later, you run out of other people's money."
Posts: 8,050
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Post by middyman on Oct 6, 2018 17:59:59 GMT
There was a proposal to merge the Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies. The public were consulted and it was rejected. We now see "Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary" police cars, joint campaigns etc. etc. So much for consulting the public. The merger is going through in practice if not in name.
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Oct 6, 2018 18:30:49 GMT
That's what happens when services have their funding cut and have no other options to make efficiencies. If you want separate constabularies, I suggest you campaign for a referendum on increasing the council tax to pay for unneeded duplication of back offices. I think I know what the result will be.
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middyman
Conservative
"The problem with socialism is that, sooner or later, you run out of other people's money."
Posts: 8,050
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Post by middyman on Oct 6, 2018 19:08:37 GMT
That's what happens when services have their funding cut and have no other options to make efficiencies. If you want separate constabularies, I suggest you campaign for a referendum on increasing the council tax to pay for unneeded duplication of back offices. I think I know what the result will be. The main opposition stemmed from the proposed call centre for the public being in central Norfolk and resultant lack of local knowledge of Suffolk. |
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