The recent article in the South Wales Argus regarding the November election of Gwent’s first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) highlights the lack of interest and awareness of many people in Gwent.
Since this totally daft idea was imposed on us by the equally daft coalition government, very little seems to have been done to grab the public’s attention.
I have been against the idea of a PCC from the start as I believe that the Gwent Police Authority, under the chairmanship of Cilla Davies, has done an excellent job which is unlikely to be bettered by an elected PCC.
However, the fact is that this is going to happen anyway and Gwent needs a PCC who will not only represent the wishes of the public, but also oppose the Tory attack on the police service and the unacceptable cuts to its finances.
Some comments have been made about allowing political parties to field candidates, thus politicising the police. But one must consider that everyone has political leanings and that no-one is truly independent.
K Waters, Club Row, Pontypool
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