On Thursday 15 November 2012 new elections are taking place in England and Wales (excluding London).
On this date you will be asked to choose a Police and Crime Commissioner for your local police force.
The first Police and Crime Commissioner elections will take place on 15 November. For this election you can vote for a first and second choice of who you want to win. Victor can show you how. For more information visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are new elected positions responsible for local policing. By holding Chief Constables and police forces to account, it is hoped PCCs will make them more accountable to local people. There won’t be a PCC for the Metropolitan Police or the City of London Police – the role of PCC for these forces is taken by the Mayor of London and the Corporation of London.
PCCs will set the budget for the police, set local policing priorities, hire and (if necessary) fire the Chief Constable and engage with the local community.
PCCs will therefore make crucial decisions affecting how the local police tackle issues such as homophobic hate crime in the local community. This is why it is really important people vote for candidates who commit to addressing the needs of local lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Who is standing for election?
The elections will happen in 41 police force areas in England and Wales (excluding London). To find out who is standing for election in your area and see information from candidates, visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk. Or you can call 0800 1 07 07 08 to order printed information about your candidates.
Voting system
For this election you can vote for a first and second choice of who you want to win. Victor can show you how.
