Author Archives: samchapman

And Ken writes the second PCC manifesto.

Posted on 05/04/2012 by samchapman

They’re like London buses. No PCC manifestos and then suddenly, one after another. I’ll expect Paddick’s next. Hot on the heels of Boris’s breakthrough Crime Manifesto, it’s Mr Livingstone, I presume. Here are the highlights of Ken Livingstone’s Crime Manifesto:- … Continue reading →

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Boris writes the first PCC manifesto

Posted on 03/04/2012 by samchapman

The PCC elections have been criticised for creating policy free zones, which I think is a tad unfair. The elections are as yet over 7 months away, and candidates are sometimes tempted not to reveal their ideas so early that … Continue reading →

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Tight fights for TopOfTheCops

Posted on 02/04/2012 by samchapman

The Police and Crime Commissioner election battleground may be starting to emerge. I’ll not repeat all the caveats about the recent Police Foundation research on voting and these elections, but instead look to identify the closest races. The Police Foundation … Continue reading →

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What are the LibDems thinking?

Posted on 01/04/2012 by samchapman

There has been very little LibDem input in this election so far, and it seems likely to continue that way. The party centrally is not funding local PCC candidates. A few local parties may chance their arms, but even in … Continue reading →

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Sure things?

Posted on 31/03/2012 by samchapman

Want some fun? How about a little analysis of that Police Foundation research on voting patterns and Police and Crime Commissioner elections that TopOfTheCops featured yesterday? Let’s use it to pick out say, the ten best bets for Labour candidates … Continue reading →

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This is not normal politics

Posted on 30/03/2012 by samchapman

Today, I found myself in the environs of Westminster and, on College Green, a film crew were patiently seeking to record a scene with some of the cast from “The Thick Of It” while people like me got in the … Continue reading →

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Parties and pasties

Posted on 29/03/2012 by samchapman

Devon and Cornwall police have a special significance to me, as I spent a summer in their care before my final year at university, observing policing in Torquay and surrounds, as well as at the headquarters in Exeter. My memory … Continue reading →

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Highlights from draft Police and Crime Commissioner election rules

Posted on 28/03/2012 by samchapman

I understand that the draft rules for the Police and Crime Commissioners are currently with Police Authorities, the Electoral Commission and other consultees. Once again, you can search for draft legislation at legislation.gov.uk, where it is supposed to be, and … Continue reading →

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The dog that didn’t bite

Posted on 27/03/2012 by samchapman

While everyone was looking the other way at the Home Secretary’s warm initial response to Winsor part 2, and his own by-now-ritual promise to toughen-up community sentences, the Justice Secretary put out a consultation on the future of probation. It … Continue reading →

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Police Authorities – are they really invisible?

Posted on 26/03/2012 by samchapman

One of the reasons Police Authorities are being replaced is because of their alleged invisibility. No-one knows who they are. On a recent Sunday Politics North West debate, none of the participants could name a single member of Lancashire Police … Continue reading →

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