APA: Govt ‘ignoring’ widespread concern
Rob Garnham, chair of the Association of Police Authorities (APA), comments ahead of the government announcement creating new police and crime commissioners:
“The APA is very disappointed and worried that the government is continuing with the proposal to introduce directly elected police and crime commissioners in 2012, despite the numerous and considered responses to ‘Policing in the 21st Century’, from a majority of people within and without the police world, highlighting major concerns and reservations.
“The APA remains in principle opposed to this proposal and has highlighted the very serious risks attached to it.
“Sir Denis O’Connor, chief HMI, last week signalled his readiness to undertake a full risk assessment of the proposal, if called upon to do so. The APA is calling upon him to do so, with the utmost urgency.
“As always, as a responsible member of the tripartite, the APA continues to be very happy to work with the government and ACPO on a whole aspect of policing issues, but we have yet to see what level of support there is for this particular proposal.
“Our worry is that we see very little indeed, yet the government marches relentlessly on.”
