Today sees the launch of Ian Chisnall‘s campaign, as an Independent, to be the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, with this Candidate Statement exclusively for TopOfTheCops.com and launch events later in the day at Brighton, Uckfield and Horsham – Visit Ian Chisnall’s Website for further details. If you are intending to stand to be Police and Crime Commissioner where you live, you can submit your own Candidate Statement, so 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.

Ian Chisnall – Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner

I have lived in Brighton & Hove for nearly 35 years and worked throughout East and West Sussex for nearly 30 years. My role since 2001 has involved working with community organisations in most of the villages and towns of Sussex creating links between these groups and statutory agencies such as Local Authorities, Health Trusts and the Police. I have also worked extensively within the Voluntary and Community Sector including helping to establish a number of charities working in the area of criminal justice.

Since 2004 I have worked with Sussex Police in a role that could be best described as a critical friend, as part of their Independent Advisory Group. This has provided me with extensive access to their operational and strategic decision making processes and allowed me, along with others to challenge their decisions where this seems appropriate. I have also served on a number of boards and governance committees for charities of all sizes and organisations such as the Courts Board for Surrey and Sussex and the Regional Assembly for the South East. I was lead member of S.E.E.R.A. for scrutiny and understand the vital need to challenge and measure the impact of statutory services.

Although I have never been part of the Sussex Police Authority, like them I do not believe that this new governance structure is perfect. However I do recognise that one person can act decisively when compared to a committee of 17 people. I also believe that extending this governance role to include other aspects of the criminal justice system when compared to the narrower focus of the police authority is a major step forward.

I am standing as an Independent candidate, primarily because I have never been part of a political party, nor felt persuaded of the benefit of joining one. I can see some good ideas and concepts in the thinking of all 4 major parties and also weaknesses in each. However my fundamental view is that the role of Police and Crime Commissioner is one role in society that should not be controlled by political parties with their set ideas. This was clearly a concern for Michael Howard when he introduced Police Authorities in 1995. However I am standing with the support of members of each of the 4 parties (some of whom are prevented by their parties from declaring their support!)

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