New West Midlands Police crime boss is 24 and 'one of the brightest talents' in politics and policing
A fresh faced 24-year-old has been appointed as one of two Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners for the West Midlands.
Ashley Bertie, who has worked in the PCC's office since 2014 focusing on 'stop and search' policy, has been hailed 'one of the brightest talents' in politics and policing. His new £30,000-a-year role was announced by PCC David Jamieson as he unveiled his new assistants and Strategic Policing and Crime Board members following his re-election last month.
Deputy Leader of Dudley Council, Judy Foster, will work alongside Mr Bertie as the other Assistant PCC having held the role since the abolition of the West Midlands Police Authority in 2012. Among the other new names to join the policing board is former Secretary of State for Defence and Coventry MP, Bob Ainsworth.
Born and bred in Kingstanding, Birmingham, Mr Bertie is said to have played a huge part in transforming the region's stop and search policy in his previous role as Management Trainee and Researcher.
He created a schools workshop and worked with officers to drive down the number of people unnecessarily stopped. He will now turn his attention to the force's body-worn cameras project which is expected to be rolled out this year.
Mr Bertie aid: "I've always been passionate about helping others. I am young but the West Midlands is a young and vibrant region and I reflect that. I am here to get things done. I am honoured to be given the position and cannot wait to start making real changes for the better."
Another youthful face in the new team is 24-year-old West Bromwich councillor Liam Preece, who has represented the town on Sandwell Council since 2012.
The remaining board members are Brendan Connor, Cath Hannon, and Ernie Hendricks who return to the board, and newcomers Gurinder Josan, Dr Sarah Marwick and former Walsall councillor Waheed Saleem.
Mr Jamieson, said: "Younger people are both more likely to be victims of crime and sadly more likely to be perpetrators. I am proud to be appointing two people under 25, Ashley Bertie and Liam Preece, to bring in fresh perspectives and represent their peers."
He said they were two of the 'brightest talents' in politics and policing.
