Breaking new ground with the first of our Candidate Statements, Bob Jones tells TopOfTheCops.com why people should want him as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands. If you want to submit your own Candidate Statement, get in touch. Others are on the way, and we are looking for 400 words, a photo (of you!) that you have rights to, and preferably an imprint, which will be needed for the formal election period later this year.

Bob Jones

Experience

• Member West Midlands Police Authority 1986-present; Chair 1995-2000;
Currently Chair of Finance Committee
• National Chair Association of Police Authorities 2005-2009, serving the maximum term of 4 years (elected with cross party and independent support)
• Founder member The National Policing Board and Police Counter Terrorism Board, chairing the National Policing Board Committee with responsibility for Neighbourhood Policing.
• Member Stephen Lawrence Steering Group
• Member National Criminal Justice Board
• Previously Chair Wolverhampton Community Safety Partnership and Cabinet Member for Community Safety

Integrity

I opposed the Tory led Government’s legislation to Americanise British policing as in the wrong hands the traditions of British policing could be seriously undermined. The British police service has a proud tradition of being part of the Community and applying the rule of law impartially to all parts of our society.

A single individual risks both the appearance and possible reality that our Police services are accountable to particular vested interests rather than the wider community.

I am committed to protecting British policing’s proud traditions and seeking to build on them rather than undermine them.

Ability

Labour has a strong record of investing in our police service and partner agencies resulting in record reductions in crime.

Two areas I was particularly proud to play a key role in was the roll out of Neighbourhood Policing and the implementation of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which brought together all partners in the fight to reduce crime. A neighbourhood free from crime and fear of crime is an essential basis for any regeneration of that community both economically and socially.

Commitment

To continuing to build on Labour’s achievements I will

• introduce community-led Local Policing boards which will establish local policing priorities and be engaged in local police commander appointments
• retain the PCSOs that have proved invaluable eyes and ears for professional officers
• seek to bring police contact points into council and other community buildings
• use the platform of Commissioner to highlight the appalling financial settlement the Tory-led Government has given the West Midlands Police, where our cuts are 3 times as high per capita as leafy low crime areas such as Surrey
• live and work in the West Midlands. Apart from a short period at University I have always lived in the West Midlands conurbation. I believe I am fully in touch with the needs of our community and believe I am well placed to serve them.

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