Conference Debates What Lies Ahead With New Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent

The Authority hosted the first national Police and Crime Commissioner conference focusing on the changes ahead.

The Authority hosted the first national Police and Crime Commissioner conference focusing on the changes ahead.

Police Authorities and the old style Local Authority Committees have been around for 48 years. That's a long time and a lot of corporate memory to tap into. From the 22 November a new era of public accountability will begin under the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The event saw stakeholders from across the county, and nationally, joining together to debate issues around the changes and implications. I was really pleased to welcome over 100 delegates to the conference that was held at our in-house venue, the Kent Police College.

We had some excellent speakers including Sir Steve Bullock; Lewisham's first directly elected Mayor. He brought a very interesting insight into how the directly elected model works and offered a real life case study.

I was glad to see Stephen Rimmer, the Director General from the Home Office, update the audience on any national changes and to find out what's coming up.

From a personal point of view I want to make it clear that I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent has the best possible platform upon which to operate, and that my Authority leaves policing in our county the best possible shape for the future.

If anyone wants to read my speech from today then please click here.

What else, well I had an interesting meeting in relation to the appointment of Chief Constables. From now on Chief Constables will be recruited on a temporary basis, except in rare circumstances.

And finally, I have two real treats this week! I'm going to see the Warhorse. I've already seen the play, which might I add was absolutely magnificent. I'm a big fan of Spielberg so he had better not let me down. I'm also off the other theatre to see One Man, Two Guvnors, and it looks an absolute hoot.

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