Public turn against elected police commissioners

By politics.co.uk staff

Just 15% trust elected police and crime commissioners more than the present system to protect their family, according to a poll.

The government is pushing to improve links between policing and the public by introducing the idea of a directly elected individual overseeing the police's work.

YouGov found that a chief constable reporting to a police authority, as is currently the case, was much more popular, with 65% of the public preferring it. The remaining fifth were unsure.

But ministers are set to press ahead later today as the police reform and social responsibility bill arrives in the Commons for its report statge.

VoiceOver

Unite: Police Privatisation 999

"Britain has a policing model much admired around the world and the police's political independence is as important as that of the courts," civil liberties group Liberty's director of policy Isabella Sankey said.

"Directly elected police commissioners not only compromise autonomy but as our poll shows undermine trust in the community they serve."

Liberty, which commissioned the poll from YouGov, fears that elected commissioners could pressure police to use their powers in ways which meets a political agenda, rather than serving the community as a whole.

The government plans to hand commissioners the power to hire and fire the chief constable, secure the maintenance for the police force and control the police's budget and strategy.

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.