The world of policing remains a busy one with lots of developments both here in Kent and at a national level.
Taking the national scene first, I was recently re-elected as the deputy chair of the Association of Police Authorities (APA). The APA represents all police authorities across England and Wales and is the main negotiating body looking after the interests of communities and ordinary people in policing.
This means I speak for you - the people of Kent and beyond - at crucial discussions with Home Office Ministers, ACPO (the leadership of the police service) and other stakeholders in the Criminal Justice system. My aim in this arena is a very simple one: to always seek improvements in policing and a get a better service for victims and the public at large.
I feel enormously privileged to be involved in helping to shape national police policy through my role with the APA. It's fascinating to be 'at the table' when big decisions get made in policing although one of huge responsibility.
Continuing on a national policing theme, the Home Office recently announced an important national police appointment - the head of the new National Crime Agency (NCA) - Keith Bristow. Keith is currently chief constable of Warwickshire Police. His role is a big one - with forces, tackling and preventing serious and organised crime right across the country.
His agency will also include a new border command so beyond just protecting Kent from 'big villains', we have a special interest in the NCA because of our unique topography as the 'gateway' to Europe. I am looking forward to working closely with Keith as the NCA develops and comes into being in 2012.
Back home here in Kent, we have just concluded our Police Authority consultation roadshows. Over ten weeks, members of the Police Authority and the force visited high streets and shopping centres across the county, asking people their views on policing and what priorities the force should concentrate on during the coming year.
Over 2,400 individuals took part in the survey which makes it by far the biggest test of public opinion into policing undertaken in Kent. The results, which indicated that the public want to see more officers visible in their community, along with an even bigger push on anti-social behaviour, will inform the Police Authority's annual policing plan and setting the priorities of the force in the future.
In highlighting our roadshows it would be very remiss of me not to make a special mention of Kent Police Authority Member Tom Gates. Tom attended every single roadshow - yes, all ten - and spoke to hundreds of residents across Kent - a magnificent effort. Tom exemplifies the best about my KPA colleagues; a genuine and unstinting desire to represent your interests in policing.
Finally, any follower of my blog will know how much I love the county of Kent. Whilst I think it looks beautiful in any season, the autumn has been so splendid this year. In my journeys across Kent I have stopped several times just to take in the vista of golden browns, burnt yellows and autumnal reds.
Wonderful!