Does anyone know how much real power and influence such elected commissioners would have? A fear is that this ends up as localised window-dressing, while ACPO still (and disgracefully, given their private sector status and lack of transparency and direct accountability) sets the direction of policing.

When in doubt about issues such as this, follow the money is usually good advice.

Where would the finance for the electoral campaigns of police commissioner candidiates most likely come from?

OP, Don: “Although crime fell dramatically under the last Labour government, most people didn’t believe the stats.”

I don’t think that statement is entirely true. Following the mid 1990s, the economy had a mini boom, and crime incidence is related to economic fortune. The latter is understood by ordinary people, not just economists and sociologists.

Our economy changed during that period too. The retail price of the goods that a burglar might steal fell, thus reducing the economic appeal of burglary. So crime adjusted — crooks gave up nicking TVs and started robbing people who flashed their iPhone in the wrong place. Mugging somebody for an iPhone is a distressing person-to-person crime, far more memorable than Jo leaving a window open and having the stereo stolen.

I strongly recommend ditching this idea – it’s crazy. Crime policy for the last thirty years has been set by headline-chasing frauds elected directly by the public, usually by attempting to out-Draco their opponents. The results aren’t particularly encouraging. Why would these elections throw up a better outcome?

Local elections hugely empower small, mental parties, not because they’re more democratic but because the public are apathetic about local elections. There’s no reason at all to believe that these elections would be any less cretinous than national ones – quite the opposite – and I strongly believe that elected commissioners would result in a series of cranky, Kilroy-Silk figures.

Senior coppers should take decisions based upon the law and the public interest. Filling these offices with poll-watchers would be a disaster. It surprises me that I even have to say this.

I welcome debate about elected police commissioners. I am unsure whether the role itself is necessary, but the UK needs a sensible talk about management of policing.

At the same time, I note Don’s recitation of social measures that reduce crime or rehabilitate former offenders. But all of those things should be the provisions of social services, probation services or the council garden department. They should not be “police responsibility”.

Don’s third point — essentially a caring, sharing community — is non-political. But that is how we should be constructing positive places to live where the BNP cannot interject.

@4 FlyingRodent: “…and I strongly believe that elected commissioners would result in a series of cranky, Kilroy-Silk figures.”

The current Chief Constable of Manchester is Peter Fahy. If you recall, he is the bloke who suggested raising the age for alcohol purchase when 21+ year old thugs beat up a geezer in Cheshire before he got his current job. How out of touch can you be? Cranky or what?

I can’t wait for the campaign ads.
It will make the sideshow bob and the anti democrat ones look mild.
Also can we do the same for the military .
Head teachers, Consultant surgeons and Fire chiefs.
Also won’t we be electing the best at been political commissioners not the necessary the best policeman

Personally, I think I’ll boycott these elections. I won’t lend any legitimacy to these people.

“Given the choice between CCTV or funding an outreach worker for street drinkers, they picked the latter”

Hardly surprising. Given the choice between anything and CCTV, most people would take the other thing (Personally, my answer would be “neither, now lower my taxes”).

Although I’d question some of the specifics (such as not trusting people not to vote for a populist or a fascist, although I’d like to see these election run as STV in order that someone can’t sneak through on a split vote) I completely agree with the principle of the article. Elected police chiefs are an opportunity for everyone to see a reduction in crime. The very fact that the police chief relies on local people seeing reductions in crime in order to keep his/her job is better driver of quality than any number of central government targets. Leftie or rightie, this is a good thing.

Elected police cheifs are a fantastic idea and I am surprised by the pessimism of many commenters above. Police cheifs will be reelected if they are effective as judged by the public they serve thereby forcing them to be more accountable and responsive to local policing needs. If a fascist were to be elected no real harm could be caused as he would have to operate within the law anyway – and has no power to bend laws.

Though I have to point out that if a hard liner were elected, well it would be the will of the people interested enough to vote – as is the case in ALL democratic elections.