PCC election today

A reminder that today, May 5th, sees the polls open for the election of the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Cheshire police force area.

Polling stations are open today from 7.00am until 10.00pm. The Audlem area polling station is Audlem Public Hall.

The four candidates for the post are:

• John Dwyer (Conservative);
• David Keane (Labour);
• Neil Lewis (Liberal Democrats)
• Jonathan Starkey (UKIP).

Cheshire East Council Chief Executive Mike Suarez, who is the Returning Officer for elections in the Borough, said: "PCCs are elected to hold the police to account for delivering the kind of policing you, the local residents, want to see.

"So it is vitally important that local people, who are registered to vote, get out and vote on May 5th and make their voice heard.

"Elected PCCs aim is to cut crime and to ensure your local police force is effective. They are there to ensure the policing needs of the public are met as effectively as possible and to oversee how crime is tackled by the police."

PCCs bring a public voice to policing and do this by:

• Engaging with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans;
• Ensuring the police force budget is spent where it matters most; and
• Appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the chief constable.

PCCs are required to swear an oath of impartiality when they are elected to office. The oath is designed so that PCCs can set out publicly their commitment to tackling their new role with integrity.

It reflects the commitment police officers make to serve every member of the public impartially and makes clear that they are there to serve the people, not a political party or any one section of their electorate.

So, have your say and make your voice heard!
Vote for your police and crime commissioner on May 5th.

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