Police Commissioner makes public forum pledge (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Police Commissioner makes public forum pledge
12:34pm Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News By Paula Roberts
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)
Humf
says...
1:35pm Wed 21 Nov 12
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.
gary1975
says...
2:07pm Wed 21 Nov 12
muscliffman
says...
3:12pm Wed 21 Nov 12
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?
pete woodley
says...
4:05pm Wed 21 Nov 12
John T
says...
4:20pm Wed 21 Nov 12
How you must dream of ever coming second in a democratic process.
Still, I am sure you will continue to remain a gracious loser.
ShuttleX
says...
6:51pm Wed 21 Nov 12
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?
rayc
says...
6:53pm Wed 21 Nov 12
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.
pete woodley
says...
7:59pm Wed 21 Nov 12
John T wrote: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.
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.
Bomo JP
says...
10:00pm Wed 21 Nov 12
pete woodley
says...
10:15pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Bomo JP wrote: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
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.
e 7 in shoes,17 and a half collar.48" waist,29 leg,and p****d off with T****s like you and JohnT.
boscombewizard
says...
11:56pm Wed 21 Nov 12
dickieboy07
says...
6:04am Thu 22 Nov 12
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?
pete woodley
says...
9:42am Thu 22 Nov 12
boscombewizard wrote: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.
Is there a special place where you lot all meet up?
John T
says...
11:41am Thu 22 Nov 12
boscombewizard wrote:Yes, on this website.
Is there a special place where you lot all meet up?
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.
John T
says...
11:45am Thu 22 Nov 12
Bomo JP wrote:Don't be silly...even the Tories have a level beneath which they would not sink when selecting candidates!
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.
pete woodley
says...
12:54pm Thu 22 Nov 12
pete woodley
says...
1:34pm Thu 22 Nov 12
John T wrote:Doesnt look like the Lib/Dems have with Morons like JohnT having a go at me every day.Really sick individual.
Bomo JP wrote:Don't be silly...even the Tories have a level beneath which they would not sink when selecting candidates!
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.
speedy231278 says...
1:09pm Wed 21 Nov 12