Two months into his new role, Paddy Tipping gave a fascinating account into his responsibilities and vision for the task ahead in the next three and a half years at the latest meeting of Hucknall Rotary Club. The biggest change in Police legislation since the days of Robert Peel resulted in Mr Tipping being elected as Nottinghamshire’s First Police and Crime Commissioner. Coincidentally both Paddy and Robert Peel attended the same school, Hipperholme Grammar School in Halifax (though not at the same time!)
He was fully aware, that although he was elected, there was a poor turn-out for the elections which suggested public apathy towards the job which was something that Paddy was keen to overcome by talking and engaging with the public. Nottinghamshire’s turn-out of 15.8% was above the national average. Paddy discussed some of the factors including the impossibility of trying to canvass all 800,000 households in Nottinghamshire comparing this against 42,000 households that would have been canvassed in the Sherwood constituency. The election had taken place on 15thNovember 2012 and Paddy took office at County Hall on 22nd November. In his first week of office, his department received more letters than were received in the last year by the old Police Authority.
The Police & Crime Commissioner role had three main functions:
1) To produce the Policing Plan
2) To set the Budget
3) Had the power to recruit or dismiss the Chief Constable
Paddy spoke about how the Policing Plan worked and some of the various schemes he was implementing as Commissioner. Paddy then explained how money had been saved within the Budget by making better use of the resources available. A big announcement was being made tomorrow (30th January) and this would include Paddy’s election manifesto of creating more PO/PSCO within a manageable budget. A police officer cost £ 40,000 whereas a PSCO costs about £ 20,000.
More details call be found online:
During his term of office, there are three particular areas that Paddy wants to see developed
a) A Sensible Alcohol Policy which would help reduce alcohol-related crime but also offer treatment to offenders
b) To improve Crime reduction strategies for young people
c) Networking with communities and local organisations as every often, local people can tell you about the problem areas and also able to offer solutions. Such network would create a climate a trust.
Paddy said that when resources were tight especially, effective policing was looking to prevent crime rather than just chasing criminals in order for us to have the better, safer, cleaner places we all want to bring up our families in.
Paddy then took questions from members and one of the answers which concerned the re-introduction of the horse section. To bring back the horses now would cost £ 420,000.
President Ian Young thanked Paddy for an insightful and fascinating evening and members applauded in the usual fashion.
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Hucknall Rotary Club meet in Linby but they still have
the town in heart. Great discussion pic.twitter.com/Ujh4OI7L
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