Download - West Midlands Police Federation

Champions will help
Force be efficient and
effective
By Bob Jones,
Police and Crime
Commissioner for the
West Midlands
I
am pleased to
announce new
‘champion’ roles
have been created
to help make sure
West Midlands Police is as efficient and
effective as possible.
Seven newly appointed members of the
Strategic Policing and Crime Board have
been put into lead champion roles.
These are:
l Faye Abbot, who is governor at two
primary schools and has professional
experience relating to skills, training and
professional engagement - Children and
Young People.
l Brendan Connor is currently chairman
of CENEX plc and adviser to Imperial
Innovations plc and Lyceum Capital plc -
Business.
l Judy Foster led on Equalities and
Human Rights for West Midlands Police
Authority - Workforce.
l Cath Hannon served for 32 years with
West Midlands Police and was recognised
in 2010 with the West Midlands
Safeguarding Award for services to
protecting children. Cath is currently a
trustee for the Rape and Sexual Violence
Project - Victims.
l Ernie Hendricks worked in music and
television before becoming a councillor, and
has become well-known for his innovative
approaches to community engagement and
campaigning - Technology and New Media.
l Mohammed Nazir is Chief Executive
Officer with BME United Ltd which is a
Third Sector ‘not for profit’ organisation -
Diversity.
l Tim Sawdon has been a councillor for
39 years and has spent his working life as
an ophthalmic optician in Coventry, and
served for 10 years as a non-executive
director of the University Hospital
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust -
Health.
The Strategic Policing and Crime
Board needs to offer practical support and
oversight to the Force in its efforts to
reduce and detect crime. The Board is
critical to maintaining links with local
areas, holding the Force to account, and
delivering the Policing and Crime Plan.
The plan sets out ambitious milestones
for reducing crime and protecting the
public of the West Midlands, and we want
to see people taking pride in our police.
These objectives require co-ordination
across many areas of policing activity,
engagement with partners and a sustained
commitment to listening and responding to
the public.
These champion roles are about making
this happen. They are about making sure
that West Midlands Police is as efficient
and effective as possible, and exploits the
skills and experience of the members of the
Board.
Unfortunately, my first open day had to
be cancelled due to the unseasonal weather.
The event, which was to be held at Lloyd
House on Saturday 23 March was cancelled
at the last minute due to weather warnings
from the Met Office.
Forecasts stated there would be heavy
snowfall in Birmingham creating potential
travel disruption and blizzard conditions
and it just wouldn’t have been safe for it to
go ahead.
Both myself and deputy Police and
Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito
were planning on attending. This event was
all about breaking down the barriers
between us at the PCC and members of
the public. As I have said before, listening
to the community is as the heart of my role
as Police and Crime Commissioner and it
would have been an ideal opportunity to
get out there and meet the people who we
are accountable to. Hopefully, another one
can be arranged soon – along with some
sunshine.
Chief Constable Chris Sims and I are
seeking an independent member to serve as
the chair of the Joint Audit Committee.
The Joint Audit Committee is the key to
the delivery of effective governance,
assurance, risk management and statutory
financial duties. The closing date for
applications is 15 April.
Anyone can contact the casework team
at the office on 0121 626 6060. The team
can offer advice on policing and community
safety matters to members of the public
who are not sure who to contact.
The public can also contact the PCC
via www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/
contact-the-pcc. I also hold regular one to
one surgery sessions at which members of
the public can meet me face to face and
have their say.
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