PCC launches Engagement Charter and new surgeries
POLICE and crime commissioner Nick Alston has set out his pledges of why and how he will meet with the public of Essex with the publishing of a new “Engagement Charter”.
The charter coincides with changes to the public meeting structure currently carried out by the PCC across the county. Under the changes, Mr Alston will become even more accessible to the public with the introduction of one to one surgeries.
Mr Alston has vowed to continue holding meetings at venues across Essex to ensure he is accessible to the public and can hear their concerns about crime and policing in their area.
He will continue to use feedback from the public to help both scrutinise police and hold the Chief Constable to account and to inform the crime-related areas of focus in his annual Police and Crime Plan.
Since he was elected in November 2012, Mr Alston has hosted over 40 meetings in every district and borough of the county.
To maximise the attendance of residents and ensure the continued success of his public meetings, the PCC will now jointly host them with local police. He will still visit each borough and district in the county annually and will share information with residents about crime trends in their area.
However now residents’ will have the added bonus of being able to meet personally with the PCC, in private sessions held before each public meeting, to discuss crime and policing issues directly affecting their lives.
Mr Alston said: “Engaging with the public is fundamental to the role of the police and crime commissioner as it ensures their voice is heard when it comes to decision making about and the scrutiny of policing in Essex.
“My Engagement Charter sets out my commitment to the people of Essex of how and why I will continue to listen to them to ensure there is democracy and accountability in policing in this county.
“As part of my continued commitment I have made some changes to the way I meet with the public to ensure those events continue to be successful and productive for all concerned.
“Residents can still meet with me in their area at least once a year but I am now offering the added opportunity for people to see me on an individual basis – ahead of those public events – to hear about those concerns and issues having a real impact on their lives.”
The new surgeries and meeting structure will take effect at the PCC’s public meeting at Hutton Community Centre in Harrison Close, Brentwood on Thursday November 13 at 6.30pm. Details of surgery times and how residents can book appointments will be publicised nearer the time.
To read the PCC’s full Engagement Charter click here. To read Mr Alston’s blog on the importance of engaging with the public click here.
For more information about when the PCC will be hosting a meeting in your area click here.
