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Council leader bids for role as police boss

8:00am Friday 17th February 2012 in Darlington Photograph of the Author By David Roberts, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

NOMINATION SOUGHT: Bill Dixon, who hopes to stand as police commissioner NOMINATION SOUGHT: Bill Dixon, who hopes to stand as police commissioner

THE leader of Darlington Borough Council has become the first person to throw his hat into the ring for the new position of police commissioner for Durham.

Yesterday, Councillor Bill Dixon said he would be seeking the Labour party nomination for the newly-created post of Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham.

Duties for the £85,000-a-year post include setting policing priorities, managing the budget and appointing the chief constable.

Coun Dixon, who is already a member of Durham Police Authority, has been leader of Darlington since the council elections in May last year.

Since taking the reins at Darlington, he has overseen large-scale cuts to services as the council bids to reduce its budget by 20 per cent.

Coun Dixon, who became an MBE last year for services to local government, said his main priority as police commissioner would be to develop partnerships with local community groups to ensure they have a say in policing.

He said: “Policing needs to be about more than just a focus on the criminal – much more needs to be done to help and support the victims of crime.

“I intend to ensure that victims are no longer passive onlookers in a process, but become fully involved in how we shape and manage all aspects of the criminal justice system.

“Building on innovative schemes already developed, I want to see our communities actively engaged in all stages of the process.

“As a councillor, I am regularly approached by victims of crime seeking help, and too often I am frustrated by the lack of support and help available to them. As the police and crime commissioner I would address this as a matter of urgency.”

Before retirement, Coun Dixon, who has lived in Darlington all his life, worked as a senior child psychiatric social worker and team leader.

The Labour party candidate will be selected by party members in a postal ballot in May.

The police and crime commissioners will take up their role on November 15.

Comments(19)

GeordieB says...
8:47am Fri 17 Feb 12

The last thing we need is an existing DPA person, or a political party nominee. That will just mean the same old, same old.

A strong independent candidate is required, to maintain the political impartiality of the Police, who will inspire the confidence of both public and police officers (of all ranks).

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cupid stunt says...
8:57am Fri 17 Feb 12

that beard will have to go

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jack114 says...
9:28am Fri 17 Feb 12

Why do we need to spend £85k per year plus the expenses of running this position which will probably take it beyond 200k . ?

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MST75 says...
10:14am Fri 17 Feb 12

Oh please god.....the bloke can't even run a council never mind a police force

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Daza says...
11:31am Fri 17 Feb 12

I would love to see what he can do with the rapidly dwindling resources at The Police's disposal.

Another one who will work miracles!

And the 85 k a year is no doubt very appealing to him!

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darlo oily says...
12:32pm Fri 17 Feb 12

Someone from darlo getting selected for a top durham job. how unlikely would that be!!!!!!!!!!

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toffee2 says...
2:00pm Fri 17 Feb 12

Could'nt disagree mor... Cllr Dixon has worked tirelessly for Co Durham & Dalington for many years. In relation to his comments regarding "bringing Justice to the people" in particular victims, it will ensure that offenders held personally responsible & accountable to the people they have harmed.
This way of working with wrongdoers, is the only way that research shows a reduction in crime & re-offending.
Community Justice for all!!

Bring it on Bill

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toffee2 says...
2:01pm Fri 17 Feb 12

Could'nt disagree mor... Cllr Dixon has worked tirelessly for Co Durham & Dalington for many years. In relation to his comments regarding "bringing Justice to the people" in particular victims, it will ensure that offenders held personally responsible & accountable to the people they have harmed.
This way of working with wrongdoers, is the only way that research shows a reduction in crime & re-offending.
Community Justice for all!!

Bring it on Bill

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rudge1 says...
3:28pm Fri 17 Feb 12

my father told me before he died that bill dixon has never had a proper job so how come he can be elevated to such a position as this.can we see a copy of his cv

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entitled opinion says...
4:15pm Fri 17 Feb 12

The last thing we need is a councillor running a police force. What experience does he have of policing? He just wants to make himself look good to the public but is promising things that are unrealistic. The police can barely keep afloat now with all of the budget cuts yet they are going to be expected to do more with less. The police are focussed on victims already but to expect more will mean that they are more like social workers than police officers. That is why organisations such as victim support are in place and those that need it are referred to them by the police because the police cannot do absolutely everything. If they do then something has to give and there will be even less police focussed on crime etc and more police sitting round drinking tea and eating biscuits comforting the victims of crime.

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MSG says...
4:25pm Fri 17 Feb 12

A Darlington Borough Council Leader who has left the council in his words "technically bankrupt", now runs for this job. God help the Police force!
He won't get my vote.
Look forward to a good right wing candidate pro- birch, hanging, water cannons, no messing etc.

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Alan Macnab says...
4:27pm Fri 17 Feb 12

Police and Crime Commissioners are an obscene waste of public money.

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stevegg says...
5:40pm Fri 17 Feb 12

Is he having a laugh! This from the man who has overseen the cut in CCTV cameras! Obviously the council gravy train is not enough for Dixon! Geordie B, MST75 & MSG are all right. He must have seen the huge salary and thought 'Im having some of that'. If the police is ran the same way Dixon runs the council then we might as well give up, they will need hundreds of made up jobs and get overpaid and underworked, probably the opposite of what occurrs now. God help us if he gets the job.

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ilexuk says...
8:32pm Fri 17 Feb 12

this bloke carnt even get his staff to clean the streets,off rubish ,
and hes going to clean the streets ov crims ,ye ,ye
he should take his staff on a day out to see shildon/bishop
so called mucky by darlo ..
,this town is a total f,,,ing mess ,
twinned with dog **** city,
dear mr dixon

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spragger says...
9:10am Sun 19 Feb 12

We need to avoid failed political leaders.
Labour are against this policy so its hypocritical to put your self forward but when has that deterred a Labour politician with a £85k pot at hand.
I note the arch hypocrite Prescott has put himself forward for one of these posts. He knows about getting his hands on taxpayers money.

We need some competent people to put themselves forward, not the usual suspect politicians

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oliver james says...
4:43pm Mon 20 Feb 12

Mr Dixon states above that - As a councillor he is regularly approached by victims of crime seeking help ! Well Mr Dixon , i have been a victim of crime and exposed to crime for the past 20 years , living on firth moor along with lots of other good poeple. I have worked all my life paying into the system only to watch my belongings stolen ,my own property damadged. I have heard your rubbish many times , it will not change and you for sure will not change things. the town needs help from a lot higher level. Regarding the 85 thousand pound wage , i would much rather it was spent on heroin and handed to the scum bags that run riot around the streets , may be we will all get a good nights sleep , while there smashed of there heads. He also states he was a pyschiatric social worker ! i suggest he sees one himself ASP ! stick to what you no Mr Dixon ????????????????????

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mark.wilkinson says...
7:40pm Wed 22 Feb 12

All aboard the gravy train!!!!!!!!

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st-george1 says...
9:42am Thu 23 Feb 12

Very high risk strategy looming it seems… can one trust any failed, expenses fiddling incompetent politician - MP or Councillor - to be even considered to ’manage’ any police force ?
... and WHO WILL BE CHARGED WITH INVESTIGATING THE NEW POLICE COMMISSONERS WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
In my opinion here in the North East this is totally unreal and would be just another political extension of the Councils select-cabinet people that ignore the wishes of other elected non-labour councillors AND the concerns of the electorate.

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spragger says...
9:02pm Thu 23 Feb 12

Read about labour politicians running the Cleveland force. Its on the gazette website.
He spent north of £700 of your money on one meal

Pigs & troughs come to mind

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