WITH THE elections for Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales only a month away, the North Wales Pioneer spoke to the candidates to get their views and details of their background.
Candidates Richard Hibbs (Independent), Colm McCabe (Conservative), Tal Michael (Labour), Winston Roddick (Independent) and Warwick NIcholson (UKIP) provided their views on the position, their experiences and what they would bring to the role.
Whichever candidate is elected to the new position will be required to take on the role of bridging the gap between the police and the public, acting as the public's voice in the force, preparing a policing strategy and ensuring that more is done to help victims of crime.
The election for Police and Crime Commissioner will be held on Thursday November 15.
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Tal Michael
Until six months ago I was Chief Executive of North Wales Police Authority. I saw firsthand the damage being done to policing by the government in Westminster.
They need to understand that people in North Wales value the police – they don’t want police numbers cut and they don’t want police stations closed.
This new post of Commissioner requires someone with integrity who will build a consensus on the way forward and work with local people and elected representatives across politics.
That’s what I did at the Police Authority and in previous roles in local government.
I want to put victims and witnesses at the heart of policing and the criminal justice system in North Wales: I want them supported, kept informed and the most vulnerable prioritised.
I want the police working with other agencies to prevent crime, stop reoffending and reduce costs. Instead of closing front counters in police stations we should develop joint services.
If elected, I’ll be out and about talking to local people and local police officers (in English and Welsh) in the communities which suffer most from crime and making sure that they are working together to solve problems.
To find out more go to www.talmichael.net.
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Richard Hibbs
RICHARD HIBBS started campaigning against party-political control of the police in 2011.
He thinks independent Police Commissioners with cross-party support stand the best chance of helping Chief Constables reform policing to the highest possible standard, and deliver value for money.
He is the only TRULY independent candidate who is not and never has been associated with the police and has never been in a political party, standing in North Wales, which is a huge constituency with over half a million voters.
Richael Hibbs grew up in the Northeast of England and has been thinking about crime and policing since 1987 when he studied on the MPhil course at the Institute of Criminology in Cambridge, having completed a first degree in mathematics and statistics.
He has lived and worked in Llandudno for almost twenty years, and run a successful business since 1997. His company trains mental health professionals and now employs seven people on the Wrexham Technology Park.
Richard, a Welsh learner is proud to support cultural life in North Wales as Principal Accompanist for Cor Meibion Colwyn.
Richard’s zero tolerance stance against drugs, police station closures, bureaucracy and astronomical police precept can be viewed at www.independents4PCC.org - and remember to vote independent on November 15!
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Colm McCabe
COLM McCABE is a long standing resident of Summerhill, Wrexham and a Welsh Citizen. He is Irish born, is married to Dawn, and they have two sons.
Colm served as a Special Constable with the North Wales Police and was appointed Chief Officer, Special Constabulary in 2011.
Colm is a founder of Empowering Youth Foundation, a charity dedicated to teaching life skills and values to young people through participation in sport.
His first policing priority is to tackle the drug culture in communities across North Wales.
Colm has a zero tolerance approach to drug use, sale and supply and commits to ensuring that more resources will be dedicated to the fight against drugs.
Tackling anti social behaviour and disorderly and rowdy behaviour, particularly in the early hours of the morning is a problem right across north Wales; a problem that Colm Will address.
Road use and driver behaviour is something that affects every citizen in North Wales; it must be a priority for the Police.
He is committed to leading and supporting the excellent work North Wales Police Officers do day and night to ensure that North Wales is a safer place for all our citizens.
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Winston Roddick
TO ENSURE the best police service for the people of North Wales we need a commissioner who can act independently of political interference.
I began my career as a constable on the beat in Liverpool and then became a barrister, Queen’s Counsel, Recorder of the Crown Court and Wales’ first Counsel General. I have always acted independently and in the interests of justice.
I will increase the visibility of the police and ensure security at home and safety in public places. I will make the right decisions on policing and crime in North Wales and be accountable for them.
I will put the needs of the ratepayers at the top of my priorities and work with the Chief Constable to ensure the best possible service.
I have seen the devastating effects of crime on individual victims and communities. I know what a difficult job the police have and understand the need for effective and strong sentencing.
The police should be more visible in towns and villages across North Wales and rural police stations should only be closed as a very last resort.
We need to protect the service from devastating cuts and worrying proposals from Westminster for privatising police work.
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Warwick Nicholson
I RETIRED from the Greater Manchester Police after 31 years service, in ranks up to Inspector. All of my service was operational street duty.
In 1998 my wifeand I moved to North Wales in fulfillment of a lifelong dream, where we run a smallholding.
I have decided to stand for election as the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.
The current Police Authority is to be abolished and the plan is to replace it with a Commissioner whose most important function will be to set police priorities.
I do not believe that these priorities should be set by politicians in Westminster or Cardif nor by the Police alone, but by those most affected and who pay the bills, the taxpayers of North Wales.
I have the experience to know what needs to be done to ensure that this takes place. If elected I will ensure that policing in North Wales will be delivered as the taxpayers demands. As it used to be.
I was and still am at heart, an old-fashioned copper, victim orientated, against political correctness. If you want to take liberties with the rights and property of others I am not the man for you.