Essex: Police Commissioner Elections

Six people will stand for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in Essex with elections taking place this November.

The Police & Crime Commissioner's role will involve working with the public, the police and local partners to ensure effective policing as well as contributing to national requirements.

The PCC will be responsible for overseeing policing on behalf of more than 1.7 million people in Essex.

He or she will be chosen by an electorate of about 1.4 million and set the Police Council Tax precept for more than 700,000 homes, as well as holding the Chief Constable and force to account.

The PCC will have the power to employ and if necessary dismiss the Chief Constable under whom there are more than 6000 officers and staff.

They will also have responsibility for ensuring an effective and efficient force in everything from counter terrorism and serious and organised crime through a huge range of specialist operations including mobile units, firearms, marine and helicopter operations to local neighbourhood police officers.

Although directly elected, the PCC will be held to account by a Police and Crime Panel (PCP) comprised of councillors representing each of the districts, boroughs, unitary authorities and county council. There will also be a minimum of 2 independent members.

The Commissioner will be elected for a four year period and can only be elected for two consecutive terms, 8 years in total. Candidates could have experience in the private, voluntary or public sector.

They don't have to be politicians to stand and can be independent of political parties.

The candidates standing for election in Essex are confirmed as follows:

  • Nick Alston (Conservative)
  • Linda Belgrove (Independent)
  • Val Morris-Cook (Labour)
  • Andrew Smith (UKIP)
  • Mick Thwaites (Independent)
  • Robin Tilbrook (English Democrats)

If you live in the Lee Valley or Bishop's Stortford you will be voting a Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire. The candidates there are:

  • Sherma Batson (Labour)
  • David Lloyd (Conservative)
  • Marion Mason (UKIP)
  • Christopher Townsend (Liberal Democrat)

Elections will take place on 15 November with the winner taking office 22 November.