Have your say on ‘radical’ police reform

Welshpool area residents are being given the opportunity to have their say on the reform proposals to the local police force put forward by the Home Office.

 

Locals can have their say on a wide range of topics from the proposals to introduce Police and Crime Commissioners as well as gauging their current level of knowledge about the Police Authority and other locally elected people.

 

The public consultation process has come following the announcement by the Home Secretary Theresa May at the end of July to abolish Police Authorities, and replace them with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

 

Chair of the Police Authority, Mrs Delyth Humfryes, said: “This survey allows the communities of Welshpool and surrounding areas to have their say on the reform proposals. The accountability changes put forward by the Home Secretary are the most radical in policing for a number of years.

 

“Obviously police authorities have some concerns over what is being proposed by the Government. These concerns will be raised as part of the overall consultation process. However, we are also keen to include the views of our communities within Dyfed Powys. I would therefore encourage everyone to visit our Police Authority website or request a hard copy of the survey to ensure that your views are represented in our response to the consultation.

 

“I would like to make it clear that Dyfed Powys Police Authority is not opposed to change, and welcome any proposals which will lead to an increase in public accountability of the police service. However, we want to ensure that any changes to the current system that are brought in are affordable and will genuinely result in improvements. As such, we want to know the public’s views on the proposals.”

 

The survey is available at www.dyfedpowyspoliceauthority.co.uk, or in hard copy by contacting 01267 226440.