Police democracy plan

May 15 2008 by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail

Elections could be held for places on police authorities under plans proposed by the Prime Minister yesterday.

At present, police authorities – the bodies to which chief constables are accountable – are made up largely of councillors.

Gordon Brown wants individuals to have the chance to serve on the authorities – although he has rejected the Conservatives’ idea of directly elected chief constables.

A Policing and Crime Reduction Bill will also speed up the seizure of criminals’ assets, enhance protection for witnesses in gun and gang-related trials and create tougher national standards for high-visibility policing in local neighbourhoods.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “We have seen with the success of neighbourhood policing that listening to the public … then delivering on those priorities is the right way forward.”