Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Patience Awe: I’ll represent people without being biased (From Bicester Advertiser)

Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Patience Awe: I’ll represent people without being biased

2:00pm Friday 9th November 2012 in News By Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter. Call me on (01865) 425427

Independent candidate Patience Tayo Awe

This week we profile the candidates for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner post ahead of this month’s election. Today we question Independent candidate Patience Tayo Awe, from Reading

Relevant experience: I finished my first degree over 20 years ago, completed my Masters in Information Technology postgraduate degree 12 years ago and became a registered project manager practitioner in 2004.

I have worked as an office cashier, teacher, insurance marketing executive, banker, software tester, IT capacity planner and project manager.

I am also a trustee, on the board of RVA, a charity that supports Reading’s voluntary and community sector and provides advisory services and training.

Why Oxfordshire should vote for me: I will be able to represent you impartially without being hindered by conflicting national political party policies or undue influence from party linked pressure groups.

I am an inspirational and results-driven person who is passionate about people, justice and serving the community.

Which crimes in Oxfordshire and Oxford city will you prioritise?

Burglary, domestic and sexual violence and antisocial behaviour.

How will you prevent more crime?

By addressing not just the drug and alcohol-related crimes but the underlying problems and causes of crime. Ensure more police presence in the streets and effective monitoring of existing CCTV systems.

How will you solve more crime?

Tackle the real issues around troubled families.

Deal with causes of crime, offer treatment, educate and get repeat offenders preoccupied with productive activities.

Adopt the new swifter justice for victims initiative reasonably.

Where in Oxfordshire and Oxford city would you spend more money?

I would, if I could, address causes of crime, in order to reduce the crime rate and provide mental treatment for those who require it. I would also boost police morale in Thames Valley, if possible.

Where do you see opportunities for the force to save money in Oxford and Oxfordshire?

By streamlining processes so officers can work efficiently, and by working in collaboration with voluntary and community safety partnerships, Crimestoppers, statutory agencies and the public.

How would you ensure budget cuts do not lead to crime rising?

Adopt a business improvement strategy that will enable officers to provide effective and efficient policing. Ensure visible police presence and effective CCTV monitoring.

Work in collaboration with other forces, for example, having a joint firearms and dog handling unit, ICT consolidation. Also with voluntary and community safety partnerships and the public.

How important is the police’s relationship with the public and how will you develop this?

My policing approach is policing by consent, with accountability to the people, so mutual trust is very important. I will be flexible in terms of communication channels, also use digital technology to engage with the youth, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, video links and online media.

Thames Valley is a large area, how will you make sure Oxford is represented?

Oxford is ethnically and culturally diverse. If elected, my collaborative skills will be used to engage with all appropriate partnerships and sectors to get the job done.

How will we be able to measure your success after your first 100 days?

Being able to reach people across the Thames Valley. By initiating community engagement with the various community safety partnerships, Neighbourhood Action Groups, local councils and statutory agencies.

A Police and Crime Commissioner will be elected in the Thames Valley for the first time on Thursday, November 15.

The £85,000-a-year post’s responsibilities include setting the police force’s budget and priorities.

They will also have the power to appoint and dismiss the chief constable.

The winner will start work on November 22. Elections will be held every four years.