Tim Collins for police commisioner? [Archive] - SV650.org

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Amadeus

31-01-12, 12:07 PM

Read in the paper that Tim Collins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Collins_%28British_Army_officer%29) is considering putting himself forward for police commissioner.
I don't know much about him (other than his incredibly eloquent and educated pre-battle speech and having read his (kind of) biography) but he seems to be pretty switched on to me.

Wonder what others think, esp. the coppers on here. Would he be able to improve morale (see Messies thread about what the police are for) or would he be a bull in a china shop (may or may not be a good thing) and make things worse?

Personally I think he'd be a good thing - an outsider who might be able to view things from a different perspective but may well upset some of the long termers.

Springbokki

31-01-12, 12:27 PM

The Idle Biker

31-01-12, 12:35 PM

I'd vote for him if he stood for Mayor of London, that's for sure.

I wonder if we'll hear on what basis he makes his case for Police Commissioner and what his manifesto is?

Amadeus

31-01-12, 12:36 PM

He definitely has the experience of dealing with the media and politicians.
I've always maintained that (ok not quite applicable in this case, but similar) only someone with appropriate experience should be able to get a post of serious national responsibility.
i.e. Armed Forces Officer for Defence Minister, or successful headteacher for Education Minister, etc...

Or Secretary of...

<devils advocate>
You don't think that a naive approach can help rather than someone who has been trained to think in a certain way over many years?
</devils advocate>

Luckypants

31-01-12, 01:37 PM

Police commissioner of where? ahhh a quick Google shows him standing for election as Kent's Commissioner.a post of serious national responsibility.No, each force will have their own elected Police Commissioner, it's not a national post.

I don't know about the man myself and won't be finding out as he will not be standing in my area nor will I able able to vote for him.

However, on the matter of commissioners I like the idea. I think the Police Authorities that the Commissioners will take over from are both unaccountable and to cosy with the force they are meant to oversee. I welcome the fact that anyone can stand, even on an 'anti' Police ticket, and be judged by us as to whether we think they are fit to help manage our Police forces. I know N. Wales police are not looking forward to it, as the current authority are a bunch of placemen that say yes to everything.

Springbokki

31-01-12, 02:54 PM

Police commissioner of where? ahhh a quick Google shows him standing for election as Kent's Commissioner.No, each force will have their own elected Police Commissioner, it's not a national post.

Yup I know, was just supporting my opinion with more opinions! :D

And naivety can be good, but there are times when understanding the inner workings can facilitate beneficial adjustments.

Ch00

31-01-12, 07:39 PM

- an outsider who might be able to view things from a different perspective but may well upset some of the long termers.

We already have outsiders that are ripping up our terms and conditions (Winsor Reports), one more wont make it anyworse!!

mattSV

31-01-12, 07:41 PM

Where is Gene Hunt when you need him?

Shawthing

31-01-12, 08:03 PM

or a real Sherrif:
Joe Arpaio.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1929920,00.html

Red Herring

31-01-12, 09:51 PM

Seems like quite an experienced individual, and if policing was anything to do with leading men or securing a country he sounds ideal. Hang on a minute, it is, but it's also to do with understanding how the huge assortment of individuals that make up our society function, and in that respect policing is fairly unique. I know there have been many parallels made between what the army achieved in Iraq and policing, so maybe he's better qualified than we think.....