For anyone who doesn't know, what is a Police & Crime Commissioner and what are the duties/powers of the role?
The Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) will set the policing priorities, agree government funding and set the Council tax precept for police funding and hold the Chief Constable to account for delivery of policing services in Surrey.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background, and why you are suited to be Surrey's police commissioner.
I've lived in Surrey for more than 25 years, I married here and we've raised our two children here. They both go to local state schools. My work as a Magistrate, Youth Justice Adviser and with Crimestoppers gives me a genuine experience of the impact that crime has on peoples' lives. My business experience from a career outside politics means I know how to deliver an efficient, effective police force which makes best use of our resources and funding.
What are your priorities if you are elected in November?
Making Surrey even safer, Bobbies on the beat, Catching more criminals, Getting a better deal for Surrey tax payers, Cracking down on anti-social and alcohol fuelled behaviour.
What do you consider to be the main policing issues in Surrey - and what can you as PCC do to improve things?
When compared with other forces Nationally Surrey have the second lowest rate of crime detection - we catch less than 21% of criminals currently. There needs to be an absolute focus on bringing criminals to justice and whilst it's not for the PCC to operationally run the Police force it will be the job of the PCC to set this as a priority. Every conversation must drill down in to who's been caught today?
Esher & Walton MP Dominic Raab and senior police have argued that Surrey does not receive sufficient money from Central Government for the policing challenges we face. What can you do when money is limited?
Dominic Raab and other Surrey MPs have recently argued to protect our top-up payment because the overall funding formula is flawed. Likewise I will lobby Government Ministers so that any claw back is not removed without the formula being looked at in its' entirety. I will always fight for the best deal for the Surrey taxpayer regardless of which Party is in Government.
What do you say to sceptics who say an elected police commissioner is 'politicising the police'?
Whoever is elected as PCC will swear an oath of impartiality to represent everyone equally without fear or favour - whatever their political hue. Policing is one of our most vital public services and a public sector service is paid for by the taxpayer so I would argue "No taxation without representation" Conservative values are at the heart of sound financial management and we are the party that people trust with law and order - happily I am and always have been a Conservative but I am not a professional politician and have never stood for elected office before. I'm standing because this job really means something to me.
How do you envisage yourself working with the Chief Constable and borough commanders?
The relationship with the Chief Constable will probably work best as "critical friend" based on mutual respect, trust and co-operation.There are clear distinctions that will need to be establishing as to what is operational interference and it is not for the PCC to micro-manage the Chief Constable. The wise Chief may well see it as an opportunity to put politics aside and get on with the business of policing.
Police stations in Elmbridge and elsewhere are closing, and some will feel this is sending the wrong signal to criminals. What do you think about station closures?
I will soon be writing a blog piece on this. Generally the stations that have been closed were too expensive to maintain properly and at somewhere around £70 plus per visit by a member of the public not best use of public funds. Whilst the building was there as a symbol the opening hours were confusing and limited and sometimes the station was little more than a place to do paperwork - we actually want our police visible and present and out on the beat. If there is an emergency people dial 999 - they don't run to the local station so it's a nonsense to say that the rate of emergency calls has increased. Co-location in the Borough Council offices does bring benefits of real co-operation across multiple partners so that complex things e.g. Domestic violence, troubled families can be addressed in the round.
What is the salary of the Police & Crime Commissioner, how many staff will he/she have and what is the budget?
In Surrey the salary of PCC is £70,000 which is much less than the allowances currently paid to members of the Police Authority. The office with it's eight full time equivalents will transition whilst decisions are made about how best to run it going forward. The budget for the office is currently 1.3 million but around £200K is already projected as savings in next years planning.
How we the people of Surrey be able to judge whether you have been a success?
Of course you'll only be judging that if I take office this time. If I do then the people of Surrey will judge me against the priorities that I have set and whether they've been achieved,. If they haven't I'll be held to account at the ballot box when people decide whether to vote for me or not.
To find out more about Julie and her campaign, or to contact her, visit her website - http://www.julieiles.org.uk/
Promoted by Edward Norman on behalf of Julie Iles, both of 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6TD.