New Mayor Must Understand Policing Issues And Support Officers

Speaking ahead of the mayoral election, the Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation said he hoped the new mayor would “immerse themselves” in the reality of policing and support officers.

After the election on 2 May, the functions of the current Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will transfer to the new Mayor of South Yorkshire.

Federation Chair Steve Kent said: “We are moving from a PCC to a mayoral election, with a regional mayor. We don’t know what that’s going to look like yet, but we absolutely need to keep policing front and centre of any policy from the mayoral office.

“I would urge the mayor or deputy to come in and immerse themselves in policing and see the absolute red line that South Yorkshire Police is running at.

“We are one of the busiest forces in the country, and one of the poorest-funded forces in the country, and what we do is outstanding considering those constraints. So, really work with us. Our command team has done a good job in terms of getting us to where we need to be in terms of HMIC. We hope the mayor will be supportive of the police, rather than coming in with a negative, or politicised, viewpoint.”

Steve added: “We’ve had a constructive relationship with our current Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings and he’s been very supportive – we wish him well in his retirement.”