Quick Straw Poll: Is anyone really going to go to the trouble of electing a Police Commissioner.

[stretchmummy]

Maybe I'm not understanding this correctly but it would seem that we would be expected to research the candidates and choose the best one and then drag along to a polling station of some sort (a day of school for the kids in our case)to vote for this person. I'm all for democracy but how many people would actually do this?

SORRY meant a day off school.

Yes

i am strongly opposed to this. the police should be outside politics - the rule of law should not reflect the wishes of the mob.

I expect Police Chief voting would happen on the same day as local council elections and general elections. Just another ballot paper. I think local people should have chance to influence who is managing law and order in their area, reward the ones making a difference and kick out the ones that aren't. Also have enough respect for ordinary people to think they're capable of seeing through populist electioneering and making an intelligent decision.

The thing is the police already do this (or at least they do round my area). They conduct monthly surveys and ask everyone what they think the police should be focusing on.

I'll probably pick the person with the best sounding name. I really don't understand why they're doing this

swc it doesn't work too well in the USA though dos it?