PCC ELECTION: Conservative Candidate Mark Shelford's Responses To Our Questions

 

Mark Shelford

Somerset Independents is not standing a candidate in the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Election 2021. More information on our decision, and information on all candidates, are in our updated article here.

Instead, we are holding all of the candidates to account and challenging them to answer the questions that residents want answered.

We have asked questions to all 5 candidates. Some of the questions are the same for all candidates. The other questions are based on what each candidate has said in public.

All candidates were asked their questions over the most recent weekend.

Below is the FULL response from Conservative Candidate Mark Shelford. He and Kerry Barker responded were the first candidates to respond. As of 29th April, they were still the only candidates to respond.

The below are the opinions of the candidate and NOT Of Somerset Independents.

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Dear Mr Pope,

Thank you for the opportunity for commenting on the wider range of topics.

 

I have summarised them as best as possible.

 

Question 1

 

Politics on policing

 

Whatever your views on the rights and wrongs of politics in policing, the facts are that politics have always been in policing. The British police service is revered across the world as being one of the best, if not the best policing structure. These sentiments  are more obvious now than ever before. I am incredibly proud of our policing by consent approach which has been built over many years. This principle formed the bedrock of the “Peelian Principles” which originated from Sir Robert Peel, who himself was a Conservative statesman, prime minister, home secretary and the founder of the Metropolitan police. 

 

The current policing structure makes it very clear where governance starts and finishes and what operational independence is. I am also very clear that operational delivery is the total responsibility of the Chief Constable. They have the responsibility to deliver on the Police and crime plan, and rightly so. They have the responsibility to meet the needs and expectations of the community and under pins the principle of policing by consent. 

 

I am a politician but let me be very clear.  I will be the PCC first and a politician second. I know exactly where politics is in our policing system and I believe it will be incredibly beneficial to Avon and Somerset Police if I were elected as a conservative candidate. I am  politically knowledgeable but my values drive my every word or action.  That mean that politics will not affect my commitment, integrity and morale compass to the role, the community and the brilliant people who serve the public. I will do what is right for them and most importantly do what is right for the communities we serve.

 

The role of PCC is not to try to be the Chief Constable but hold them to account which will be at the heart of my approach to governance. Its different to operational policing and rightly so. 

 

I have operated as a senior leader in the military which equips me with the detailed knowledge of strategic leadership which is required if you are to hold the CC to account. This experience will not only enhance my ability to hold the Chief Constable to account but offers a relatively unique opportunity for me to be a coach, mentor and support them in what is a very demanding role.

 

I will also protect the Chief Constable from politics. The fact the current Chief commented upon a political appointment was ill advised and that sort of naivety will not happen on my watch. 

 

Police Boundaries

 

I agree with Sue Mount Stevens in her comments about boundary-less policing in the Constabulary. I will do all that I am able to ensure the force recognises difference in our communities but nevertheless the service is equitable wherever you reside, work or socialise.

 

 

Question 2

 

There is no suggestion from me that the police can do no wrong but I will not engage in criticising the police for political or populist reasons. Policing demonstrations is incredibly complex and very often police commanders are faced with decision which have no good or obvious outcomes. They are constantly having to make the least bad decision and these latest events are no different. The facts are that demonstrations occur in Bristol and across the whole country on a daily basis and very few end up with riotous behaviour. The Bristol demonstrations were ruined by a minority hell bent on using violence against property and people. 

 

If and when I become the PCC the brave men and women of the force who put their lives on the line on a daily basis will get my support. I will not blindly loyal to them but I will be pragmatic and balanced based upon my own experiences of being involved in the policing of demonstrations across the world in my military career.

 

Question 3

 

The decision to undertake austerity measures was appropriate at the time due to the extreme global economic climate. The decision to try to spend the country out of the deep dark financial hole we were all in was not and did not work, therefore I supported the austerity measures in the first instance. I do believe however the cuts may have been for too long and too deep and I have now welcomed the Prime Ministers intervention and now the government is starting to pump money back into policing. 

 

I have no doubts that morale of the service was dented by those decisions, simply because the demands were outweighing the resources. I have no doubt that demands on policing increased because of the lack of resources.

 

That said, I will expect the Chief Constable to deliver high quality services with the budget they will receive and I will fulfil my responsibilities so that they are able to deliver the service the public requires. 

 

Finally, I will not be spending all my energy focussing on the past as I am unable to change it. I will learn from the past and concentrate on delivering in the present.

 

Question 4

 

I will not be drawn into specific cases and nor should you expect me at this time.

 

In general, though I expect everyone to pay taxes they are legally required to pay. I expect public bodies to do the right thing when their members from whatever political persuasion are not leading or governing with integrity.

 

In relation to roles in public office, yes I believe that there should be checks made on the suitability for candidates to be in public office.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions.

 

Mark Shelford | Conservative Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset