May 2016 PCC elections: Fight on to take Staffordshire Police forward

Conservative Matthew Ellis is the incumbent and won the first contest back in 2012.

Four years ago he was elected with a 3,648 majority over his Labour opponent Joy Garner.

Back then there was only two candidates and just 11 per cent of the electorate turned out.

Mr Ellis, who is seeking re-election, said: "I am committed to community policing. There are one per cent more response and neighbourhood officers in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire than when I was elected whereas in Labour PCC areas the average is 17 per cent fewer.

"The mobile technology revolution I promised in 2013 to get officers out of stations and on the streets is on track to deliver 250,000 extra hours of frontline policing annually – equivalent to 110 extra officers but at one eighth of the cost.

"Critical to the future is preparing our police to meet changing crime in an internet enabled world. Online fraud, organised crime and the abhorrent abuse of children are threats beyond what could have been imagined.

"The strategic technology partnership I've signed with Boeing will improve the way Staffordshire Police deal with day-to-day crimes."

George Adamson is the Labour candidate.

He was a police officer in the Black Country for 17 years and is currently leader of Cannock Chase Council.

He said: "As PCC I will keep policing local and keep PCs and PCSOs local too. Current plans are for most investigations to be run from two county 'hubs'. This would remove officers from communities, destroying neighbourhood policing.

"In Staffordshire since the last PCC election, the number of police officers has been reduced to dangerously low levels. Hundreds of officers have been lost from Staffordshire Police. Police morale is at an all-time low.

"Since 2012 Officers have been cut but there has been heavy spending on the PCC office, with the PR machine being put ahead of police officers. As PCC I would be looking to run an efficient office to reduce costs, putting money back into local policing."

UKIP candidate Harold Gregory served in the Army for 20 years.

He said: "If elected, I would like to go out and engage with the constabulary in different areas, because rural and urban policing have very different priorities. This will enable me to understand and, crucially, appreciate through dialogue what is required in the varied and diverse areas of Staffordshire.

"Tackling youth anti-social behaviour would be a foremost issue for myself, assisting in guiding them towards joining different youth activity groups. I would also like to help the parents of schoolchildren starting secondary school by having talks within various schools in the Staffordshire area, providing information on the support and resources available."

Paul Woodhead is the Green Party candidate and a well-known campaigner in the Cannock Chase area.

He said: "Whilst I am endorsed by the Green Party, I will answer only to the people of Staffordshire. I will appoint an independent deputy commissioner based on merit. I have a vision for better policing which is community built and you will be able to hold me and the police service to account. My community priorities highlighted to date include: Resisting further budget cuts. Staffordshire already has one the lowest number of employees per head of population.

"Tackle domestic abuse and violent crime: Staffordshire's record on domestic abuse and violent crime requires improvement. I will invest in quality training of officers dealing with abuse.

"Abandon plans to bring the Fire Service under control of the PCC: The services should remain separate whilst maintaining their close working relationship."

Natalie Devaney is an independent candidate.

She was a police officer for 30 years in the county and only retired last year.

She said: "As an Independent Candidate I have no affiliation to any political party and I am self-funded.

"I describe myself as hardworking, dedicated, honest and open with a 'down to earth' approach.

"I will be easily accessible to the people of Staffordshire – you will know me.

"Having served as a frontline police officer for 30 years, I retired in July, 2015.

"My first-hand experience of policing means that I know what the reality is, now and what course of action to take, from day one."

able to lead a team, control and set priorities by maximising the

budget, enabling the police to have a more visible presence on the

street and better relate to working with the local communities that they

serve. I believe that by making their presence visible they will develop

links with the electorate.

Voice – connecting with and involving the people of Staffordshire. First contact is vital – the 101 system.

Integrity – the truth of frontline and neighbourhood policing – on my last shift, nights, I was one of three police officers on duty at Newcastle after 3am – why? Follow the money – who gets paid for what and why?

People have lost faith and hope with Staffordshire Police.