'Police commissioner should know justice system'
THE role of police commissioner is “not a job for a politician coming to the end of his or her career” according to a candidate standing in the South Wales Police election.
Independent Mike Baker said he wanted people to consider whether they wanted a politician having power over the police when they go to the polls next month.
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Mike Baker
Policeman-turned-solicitor Mr Baker spoke out during a campaigning visit to Gowerton and Port Talbot this week ahead of the November 15 poll.
He said: “We elect our politicians to serve us in the chambers of power, namely Westminster and Cardiff Bay or local councils.
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“They were the law-makers and were involved in drafting the laws — it is wholly unacceptable that they should now be trying to be the enforcers of those laws.
“I have been working in criminal justice for 40 years, the first 30 as a police officer and then as a lawyer. I know how the systems work and am very skilled at challenging the police when necessary, having successfully done so in the past.
“This is a job for a professional, not a politician coming to the end of his or her career or someone with no background in criminal justice.”
Mr Baker said the people he met during his visits wanted a higher profile police service with more officers on the beat.
The former policeman said that while he supported people’s aspirations, police budget cuts meant that was unlikely — as an alternative he suggested forces should consider making more use of Special Constables.
Police commissioners are powerful new posts that come with the ability to control police budgets, hire and fire chief constables and decide policing priorities.
The UK Government says they will make police forces more accountable to the communities they serve — but opponents have claimed they will lead to politicisation of policing.
There are four candidates in the South Wales Police election — Mr Baker, fellow independent Tony Verderame, Labour’s Alun Michael and Caroline Jones for the Conservatives.
The Dyfed-Powys race is between Christine Gwyther for Labour and Tory Christopher Salmon.
Comments
by weslangdon
Thursday, November 01 2012, 7:49PM
“Everything is political; non political people are the most conservative you will ever meet, I won't be voting for this guy he'd be joint last with the Tory if it were up to me.”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, November 01 2012, 5:30PM
“Yes and of course the grinning Mike Baker knows a bit about the justice system, nice one. Talk about blowing his own trumpet”
by Dan01
Thursday, November 01 2012, 5:30PM
“I agree with him, but neither is it a role for a solicitor! The commissioner has to be someone that the public can have faith in.”
by timhayes
Thursday, November 01 2012, 12:39PM
“What is this all about? I don't think many people understand or care about the election of a police commissioner. Why are we seeking to "elect" a politician to run the police force anyway? Surely, something as serious as public service should not be influenced by politics. It's all very well to blame the Tories for the budget cuts but let's not forget that it was the Labour government that got us so firmly into this mess in the first place. In an ideal world there would be enough money to pay for all public services but, with the world's economies in total disarray, there is not the funding available. So, we will have to accept that there will be cuts in public services and the police force cannot be exempt from those cuts.
The post of Police Commissioner should be totally non political. It is obscene to think that the police can be run by politicians. So, for the first time in my life I will consciously not vote in an election. Even voting for a "so called" independent candidate still smacks of politics. I am totally fed up with the Milliband/Cameron bickering yet I can see no improvement in the electioneering of any of the candidates standing for election on the 15th. They are still trying to play party politics. This is NOT acceptable.”
by Stork
Thursday, November 01 2012, 11:21AM
“Rather than knocking politicians. I'd like to know what the Police Commissioner will do for me.
I would like to know what they ARE able to do, and what they ARE NOT able to do.
I also want to know what is the first thing they ARE going to do, and how long will it take for them to do it, so that I and other people, will notice the difference.
I don't want a Police Commissioner who is ruled by people in "smoke filled rooms" (Labour) nor "posh boys" (Tories), who score points off each other, at any, and all opportunities
This is an unique opportunity for something different, to make a difference. Otherwise, even fewer people will bother to vote next time.”
by Jiffy
Thursday, November 01 2012, 9:28AM
“Mike Baker isn't a politician, but the first we hear from him, he's slinging mud at the other candidates in this election, just like any other politician!
How is Mike Baker going to meet the challenge of the huge cuts in the police budget forced on them by the tories? Sign up more hobby bobbies. As if these "one day a week" coppers will make a difference, when we know they're only good for directing traffic.”