PARTY politics should not be brought into the role of the police commissioner and the governance of policing should be politically neutral.

National adverts on the pending police commissioner’s election have now been aired.

The timing of the election could not be worse – on the back of party political conferences – which are nothing more than jaw-gnashing exercises.

While policing is affected by political decisions, bringing party politics into the commissioner’s role also brings the risk of it becoming a political football. The governance of policing needs to be neutral and, if a commissioner is to be a new role, then it should be by a proper appointment, with the best person appointed – not by an election when many voters may be swayed by political party speeches at conference just weeks before the election.

The person appointed should have a good understanding of the law, policing, IPCC and ‘failings’, and not be elected under the political party banner.

I believe a low turnout is anticipated. My question is: if there is a low turn-out, will a commissioner have the people’s mandate to hold the post? I suggest not.

Sue Such Didcot