Police Commissioner makes public forum pledge

12:34pm Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News By Paula Roberts

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill

DORSET’S first Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill takes up his new post tomorrow and vows to have his public forums up and running within the next 100 days.

Mr Underhill will use the forums to gauge public opinion and learn what key areas the public want Dorset Police to tackle.

The former DCI in Sussex Police, who was second in command in the Sarah Payne case, was elected as Dorset’s first commissioner following a county-wide election on Thursday.

Speaking on the eve of his new job, Mr Underhill said: “In my first 100 days I have four things to do.

“My main priority is to recruit the chief constable. The second is to publish my police and crime plan and the third is to set a police budget dealing with the issue of a precept.

“The fourth one is to start community engagement with the public.

“We are already starting to create PCC forums and I have heard from 60 members of the public who want to sit on the forums. We will have them in place within the first 100 days.”

Mr Underhill said he will personally chair the PCC forums, which will take place quarterly around Dorset, and will also set up victim forums and PCC surgeries.

“There is a lot to be done and I am really looking forward to it,” he added.

Mr Underhill was sworn in at a ceremony in Poole on Monday when he signed the formal declaration accepting the office of Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dorset Police Area.

He will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on behalf of the Dorset public.

As part of his new role, he will also:

• Oversee how crime is tackled in Dorset;

• Ensure the police provide a good service;

• Meet the public regularly to listen to their views on policing.

Comments(18)

speedy231278 says...
1:09pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Is he now going to respond to the seemingly undeniable claims that his campaign was partially bankrolled by a well-known local property magnate (and other local businessmen), which the local population might find suspicious, especially given reports that all the tenants of said person head leaflets sent to them, unlike the majority of Dorset? Doesn't sound too independent to me!

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Humf says...
1:35pm Wed 21 Nov 12

"Mr Underhill will use the forums to gauge public opinion and learn what key areas the public want Dorset Police to tackle. ". The Cbeebies explanation is much appreciated !

I expect "crime" will be the overwhelming response from the public, you'd have thought the association with Dorset Police would be enough rather than having to forums to find this out.

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gary1975 says...
2:07pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Perhaps if we had a government and real leaders who might tackle the issues that lead to crime. Oops my bad, i just woke up, it must have been a dream.......

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muscliffman says...
3:12pm Wed 21 Nov 12

If I read this correctly Mr Underhill will be recruiting the new Chief Constable of Dorset Police.

With less than 10% of the populace demonstrating support for the Commissioner in post that has to be totally unacceptable - and more importantly just won't work.

The new Chief by reflection of this reported process, will have little or no credibility from day one and their position will surely be just as untenable in practical human terms as the PCCs already is.

Realistically how is either person going to lead an entire County Police force, and take the public with them, when their authority is based upon such shallow foundations.

Who, employee or public, is really going to listen to a debatable word either person says without reference to their lack of proper mandate to even be in charge of what they are.

This farce may end in tears a lot sooner than many perhaps realised.
It should not have ended up like this for everyones sake, including the PCC himself - thank you Government.

Forums - nice idea, but how much money and who is paying for them?

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pete woodley says...
4:05pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Underhill must be taking lessons from Max Clifford,he is so full of himself,do we need to be kept reminded that he was second in command of Sarah Payne case,only second.We have had some good senior officers in Dorset,who know Dorset,and would have got more respect.Muscliffmans comments are very true.

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John T says...
4:20pm Wed 21 Nov 12

pete Woodley

How you must dream of ever coming second in a democratic process.
Still, I am sure you will continue to remain a gracious loser.

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ShuttleX says...
6:51pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Has Mr Underhill been talking to Mr Charon? I seem to remember a load of promises from the latter when he became leader of the Council, and we all know where that ended.
May'be the Echo could hold one of its online polls to see if their readers actually believe Mr Underhill will actually be any good for the tax payers of Dorset, or do they think he is just another body on the gravy train?

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rayc says...
6:53pm Wed 21 Nov 12

It doesn't matter who the CC is. He or she will implement and follow the polices produced by the ACPO.
It is hard to know what Mr Underhill stands for but I doubt that he will be any different in overseeing the Police than the now defunct Police Authority.
I can see the forum now, both sides of the speed enforcement strategy having endless arguments and anything that doesn't agree with the desired agenda being moderated off the site.

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pete woodley says...
7:59pm Wed 21 Nov 12

John T wrote:
pete Woodley

How you must dream of ever coming second in a democratic process.
Still, I am sure you will continue to remain a gracious loser.
Just shows how little you really know about me,and what i have done in my life.Your constant digs show that i have hit a sore point with you,are you frightened i am going to "say something".Why dont you have a go at some of the others who do not agree with Underhill.

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Bomo JP says...
10:00pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Is this Mr woodley the Tory candidate? Sorry couldn't vote for you. Would rather have my nuts cut off with a blunt rusty knife than vote Tory. Good luck with your business interests though.

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pete woodley says...
10:15pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Bomo JP wrote:
Is this Mr woodley the Tory candidate? Sorry couldn't vote for you. Would rather have my nuts cut off with a blunt rusty knife than vote Tory. Good luck with your business interests though.
Have you just escaped,i am not a tory candidate nor have business interests,i am 78 retired and awaiting a heart opp,church of england,diabetic,siz
e 7 in shoes,17 and a half collar.48" waist,29 leg,and p****d off with T****s like you and JohnT.

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boscombewizard says...
11:56pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Is there a special place where you lot all meet up?

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dickieboy07 says...
6:04am Thu 22 Nov 12

I totally agree with muscliffman I cannot believe the situation that we find ourselves in.
How can it ever be right that we have an ex DCI now responsible for recruiting a Chief Constable?
Under the last process at least we had a range of different experienced responsible members who have in the last few appointments chosen wisely.
I feel sorry for the officers that are left having to work in this ludicrous situation. TJF?

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pete woodley says...
9:42am Thu 22 Nov 12

boscombewizard wrote:
Is there a special place where you lot all meet up?
Wish there was, but a lot of them hide behind their user names and make threats.Some have "reasons" for not revealing their identity,like being a councillor,remember "omegaman" grower.Some have dubious connections.Three are linked together and back each others nasty comments up.And of course we have the freemasons,and political snipers,JohnT. has got to be the silliest.

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John T says...
11:41am Thu 22 Nov 12

boscombewizard wrote:
Is there a special place where you lot all meet up?
Yes, on this website.
Every day, I wait anxiously for those cheery greetings from pete woodley.
He is really so happy, when he is not moaning about someone or something. Oh, I forgot, that never happens.

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John T says...
11:45am Thu 22 Nov 12

Bomo JP wrote:
Is this Mr woodley the Tory candidate? Sorry couldn't vote for you. Would rather have my nuts cut off with a blunt rusty knife than vote Tory. Good luck with your business interests though.
Don't be silly...even the Tories have a level beneath which they would not sink when selecting candidates!

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pete woodley says...
12:54pm Thu 22 Nov 12

JohnT,is certainly scared of what i might say about him.

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pete woodley says...
1:34pm Thu 22 Nov 12

John T wrote:
Bomo JP wrote:
Is this Mr woodley the Tory candidate? Sorry couldn't vote for you. Would rather have my nuts cut off with a blunt rusty knife than vote Tory. Good luck with your business interests though.
Don't be silly...even the Tories have a level beneath which they would not sink when selecting candidates!
Doesnt look like the Lib/Dems have with Morons like JohnT having a go at me every day.Really sick individual.

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