Last updated at 11:54, Thursday, 08 November 2012

PATRICK LEONARD (Labour) is 54 and lives at Cockermouth.

Patrick Leonard: Labour

He is Carlisle’s divisional director of Riverside Housing Association and is a former chief executive of Allerdale Council.

He says: “I’m proud to be Labour’s candidate for Cumbria’s first police and crime commissioner.

“I’m not a politician – I’ve never stood for election before. However, I just couldn’t stand by and watch whilst this government did real damage to policing in this county.

As someone who has worked in the public services for over 30 years, I know how the police work and I’ve seen first-hand the challenges they face.

“Their jobs are being made even harder by the budget cuts handed down by this government. Cumbria Police face losing more than 120 officers over the next few years.

“This is a huge blow to a small force covering a big area.

“In addition, we have lost 200 skilled and dedicated support staff. You don’t cut crime by cutting police.

“As commissioner, I would fight these cuts and do what I can to protect our police service.

“Unlike the Tories, I won’t hand our policing over to private companies.

“People across Cumbria have told me how concerned they are that officers are being withdrawn from their communities. I would reverse this trend.

“Preventative and partnership working between the police, local authorities, voluntary and community groups is an essential part of reassuring the public. It will also, in the long run, prove more cost-effective.

“Cumbria deserves a police service that protects our communities and fights crime. If you elect me as your Labour police and crime commissioner, this is exactly what you will get.”

First published at 11:52, Thursday, 08 November 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk