Independent Bill Longmore stands for West Mercia Police commissioner

Mr Longmore from Hanwood, has announced that he will be standing as an independent candidate against the local Conservative and Labour nominees.

The 74 year old spent 30 years in the force and was a former police superintendent, he says he wants to stand to keep politics out of the police.

Mr Longmore sent the follwing statement to shropshirelive.com of why he was standing for election on November 15 this year:

I have decided to stand for the newly created position of PCC. I believe it is an important position and could bring about changes that would be beneficial in the fight against crime.

I was encouraged by the words of the Prime Minister in Manchester recently:

“A big job for a big local figure, someone to lead the fight against crime and someone you will be able to hold to account if they don’t deliver. With elections only months away it is time for great candidates to come forward. This isn’t just for politicians, but community leaders and pioneers of all sorts. People with real experience who have done things”

Early indications are that the two of the main political parties (Conservatives and Labour) will fight all the seats in the election. As an Independent candidate with a non-political mandate it is going to be expensive and difficult to fight against these two political parties. I sincerely believe that like myself there are a big percentage of people who have lost trust in our politicians and the last thing they want to see is politics playing any part in the Police Service.

I have given the matter a great deal of thought and asked myself shall I do nothing and just let it happen or shall I stand as an Independent candidate and give people a choice? I have decided to stand and let the people decide who they consider is the best person, with the necessary experience, the ability to lead and inspire people to work together, and with a proven record of working for the people. It will be a big mistake to elect a person purely on political party membership.

I served as a police officer with Staffordshire Police for thirty years retiring as a Superintendent. I have experience in most aspects of police work. In the late 70’s and 80’s I was one of the commanding officers in the Toxteth riots and many of the other trouble spots at this time. I have a genuine concern about how far recent cuts have reduced the police capabilities in respect of public order.

During the early 70’s I realised there was a big gulf between the police and young people and for the rest of my service I worked to bridge this gap. I encouraged police officers to take a more active role in their communities. Over the years I organised many sporting events involving thousands of young people and their parents and I won several awards for my work.

I believe that if young people are part of an organised group, club or other organisation it provides them with a foundation to build a worthwhile life and direct them away from crime or causing disruption within communities.

On retirement I went into business and formed a successful business that at its peak employed 12 people with an annual turnover in excess of £1,000,000. My vision allowed me to develop new lines and become a leader in our field of manufacture. My experience as a director gave me a lot of knowledge in handling large sums of money and using it to the best advantage.

To fulfil an ambition I did venture into local politics and it was not long before I became despondent. As an independent thinker who served all the people I could not follow party policies I did not agree with.

Throughout my life I have endeavoured to serve the community. On moving to Shropshire in 1998, I have been actively involved in projects to improve the community. This was one of the reasons why I won the BBC West Midlands ‘Unsung Hero Sports Award’ 2011. I was also honoured to carry the Olympic Torch through Shrewsbury. The people of Hanwood have benefited from the re-generation of the Village Hall grounds into a Waterside Park. Further work to replace the dressing rooms and extend the sporting facilities will be completed in the next six months.

I believe the Police Service is facing a very difficult and challenging time. In recent years West Mercia Police have built up a good reputation for prudent management. I agree with the Chief Constable’s positive thinking on the future of the force and I think we would quickly establish a mutual respect for each other that would allow West Mercia Police to maintain and enhance its position as one of the best within the UK.

One of the PCC’S main roles is the prevention and detection of crime. This covers a wide range of issues and it is important that everyone involved (both community and partners) is working together to achieve common objectives of less crime, fewer people re-offending, and punishment to fit the crime.

I have always been a person that would not back away if changes were needed but I will listen to other people’s views. Establishing a close working relationship with the community and partners in the fight against crime is not new, what is new is the will to make them successful.

I have had a lot of experience of offenders working in the community including my own, and I would certainly welcome an enlightened discussion on this matter.

Not all political parties accept the position of PCC but an election will take place and someone will be elected. The success of whether the position succeeds or fails will depend on the qualities of the person elected to the position, not because they belong to a particular political party.

The effects of changes already made within the police service and proposed for the future will have an impact on both communities and police officers is not known. We must now begin to question whether austerity measures have gone too far.

I would ask the people from every area in West Mercia to consider voting for me because I have the experience, proven leadership qualities and the desire to make the position of PCC successful in order that it can play an important part in keeping the British Police Service the best in the world. I will not be a faceless man sitting in an office but will be out among every section of the West Mercia community. I shall not need to wait for something to happen and I will know what the public think because I will be among you and talking to you.

I shall not be fighting the election as a lone voice. Most of the other policing areas now have Independent candidates committed like I am to:

KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE POLICE AND TO ELECT THE BEST PERSON FOR THE POSITION WHO WILL BE A TRUE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE.

The West Mercia Police area covers Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire a population of approximately 1.2million. During the weeks leading up to the election I shall be outlining some of my plans for how I will develop and implement the role to provide communities within West Mercia an opportunity to use the office of PCC to its best advantage to effectively tackle the problems of crime and disorder.