Paul Dendle is seeking the Conservative nomination to be the Police and Crime Commissioner in Sussex. 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 at Editor@TopOfTheCops.com – 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.

Law and Order is one of the fundamental precursors to a Civil Society, The Role of Police Commissioner is a critical Community role and any candidate will have to be of the highest Character and integrity with proven gravitas and ability.

The PCC role is a unique mix of Politician, Businessman and Manager; and you need someone who has the Political antennae and experience to deal with complex mix of diverse communities and priorities, as well as having business skills to make the force more efficient and effective.

In business I have proven skills; I have built up and sold several companies in Air Travel, Information Technology and Data provision. I was very much a team leader, communicating a vision and motivating everyone to achieve a successful outcome.

In the political world I was Elected District Councillor in 2003 for Arun DC and was made Cabinet Member in 2006 in that role I have successfully driven change and reformed the Council.

I have successfully implemented an accommodation review of reducing administrative buildings from 8 to 5 buildings and doing a complete re-design of the Councils customer reception. As part of that process, I boosted internet contact for council residents from 15% to over 60%, and I increased the number of documents that are held electronically. This has made the Council more effective and efficient.

I believe I can do the same for Sussex Police; I would introduce an Immediate root and branch review of HR policies, Force Procurement and Asset Management. Currently Sussex Police have only 15% of Police on duty at any one time; I would aim to achieve 20% by the end of my term

I believe by using lean systems thinking, I can empower officers on the beat and use their expertise to make policing more effective. This would boost Morale, efficiency and reduce Bureaucracy. I want an emphasis on Community Policing with a concentration on Anti Social Behaviour particularly linked to the Night Time economy . I would boost Special Constable recruitment and would lift restrictions enabling PCSO’s to be able to work all hours.

I do not come with baggage of being a member of the Police Authority which I see as an asset rather than a weakness. I understand IT in large organisations and how this can boost efficiency. I can campaign using Social Media as a way of delivering political messages reaching a wide and diverse electorate. I have been running a Campaign blog www.pauldendle.blogspot.com