By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Voters will go to the polls next month to choose who should be in charge of holding Nottinghamshire Police to account on their behalf.
The local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) position is an elected role, responsible for setting the force’s budgets and priorities, and even holds the power to sack the Chief Constable.
The vote comes at a crucial time for Nottinghamshire Police, who were placed in special measures last month by a watchdog.
The election will be held on Thursday, May 2 – the same date as that of the East Midlands mayor.
Since the role was created in 2012, the Nottinghamshire PCC role has been occupied first by Paddy Tipping (Lab) and later by Caroline Henry (Con), who was elected in 2021.
Who is running to be Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner?
The candidates in the 2024 vote, in alphabetical order, are:
- Gary Godden (Labour)
- Caroline Henry (Conservative)
- David Watts (Liberal Democrat)
What does the PCC do?
Their main responsibility is holding the Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable – the most senior police officer in the force – to account for local policing performance.
They will set the priorities for policing in Nottingham and the wider county.
This includes setting the force’s annual budget, whilst also making sure it provides the public with value for money.
They have the power to appoint – and dismiss – the Chief Constable, who is currently Kate Meynell.
The PCC also decides on how much council tax residents should pay to support the force.
They may also need to work towards national policing goals, such as counter-terrorism and cross-border operations.
As the role is political, the commissioner does not have day-to-day operational police control – this power always lies with the Chief Constable.
Why is this an important election for Nottinghamshire Police?
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), responsible for inspecting police forces, placed the force in special measures last month.
It expressed concerns over how the force runs investigations and handles victims.
Notts Police must now produce an improvement plan and has been set a deadline of September to make a series of changes.
The inspectorate says the force needs to improve “how it manages and carries out effective investigations to make sure that victims get the support they need”.
A second major ‘cause for concern’ relates to how the force records investigations and what systems are in place to monitor performance.
When is election day?
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2 between 7am and 10pm – the same day as the East Midlands Combined County Authority mayoral race. People will be invited to cast a vote for both positions at the same time.
Voters will be asked to show photographic ID at polling stations, such as a passport, driving license, blue badge or an Older Person’s Bus Pass.
If you don’t have this, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by Wednesday, April 24.
You can only vote if your name is on the Register of Electors. You may need to update this if you have never voted before, moved house or changed your name since the last election.
This can be done online before Tuesday, April 16.
How can I vote?
The most common way people vote is in person at their local polling station, however this isn’t possible for everyone due to health reasons, disabilities or other commitments.
Instead, you can apply for a postal vote online or by filling in an application form. You will need to do this before Wednesday, April 17 to ensure it is processed in time for the May elections.
You can also designate someone as a proxy to vote on your behalf. Online applications will need to be made by Wednesday, April 24, and your proxy will still need to bring ID.
