The election for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner takes place on Thursday May 2. There are four candidates standing, with voting taking place at various polling stations between 7am and 10pm. You can find your polling station here: https://www.rother.gov.uk/findmynearest
You will need proof of ID to vote in person, the official Electoral Commission guidance is here:
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id
The candidates are (in alphabetical order):
- Jamie Bennett – Liberal Democrats
- Katy Bourne – Conservative
- Jonathan Kent – Green
- Paul Richards – Labour
Katy Bourne is the current commissioner and has been since the role was created in 2012. Jamie Bennett and Paul Richards also stood in the 2021 election.
The role of Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner pays £88,600 and is for a four-year fixed term. As well as setting the Sussex Police budget, the post holder also appoints the chief constable as this explainer shows.
In Kent there are just three candidates: Matthew Scott for the Conservatives, Lenny Rolles for Labour and Graham Colley for the Liberal Democrats.
Rye News will be asking each Sussex candidate about policing in Rye and will print their replies in the run up to the election.
Image Credits: Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner .
An unnecessary and expensive post, giving politicians some control over police forces.
There was nothing whatsoever wrong with the Police Authority which was comprised of volunteers who quite rightly could claim expenses.
The sooner we dispense with commissioners the better.