AS part of a series of articles in the run up to the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on May 5, the candidates standing in Cleveland discuss how they would approach the job.

Sultan Alam (Independent)

The Northern Echo: STANDING FOR OFFICE: Sultan Alam

A RETIRED police officer with commendations for bravery who was decorated with the Exemplary Police Service Medal, Mr Alam was wrongly sacked and later jailed. He received a payout of more than £840,000 from the force in 2012 after an eight-year fight to clear his name.

He says: "I have what it takes to lead change in Cleveland Police. Only the right leadership, with passion and commitment, can drive change.

“I have some serious concerns about the performance of Cleveland Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime, and how prepared it is to meet future financial challenges.

"Officer numbers are down. Crime is soaring. There are: 6,457 more victims of crime compared to last year; 177 fewer officers on our streets than three years ago; £28.85 million a year is going to private companies; nine police stations are being closed to the public.

"My straightforward plan will deliver real improvements:

  • More 'bobbies on the beat' – 130 more officers on our streets equals less crime.
  • Protecting victims and witnesses – immediate steps to correctly identify vulnerable victims and integrate safeguarding systems.
  • Terminate private contracts that fail to deliver value and quality of service.
  • Better policing standards by strict enforcement of the Police Code of Ethics.
  • Ensure as many stations as possible remain open.

"No politics no excuses, just better policing."

Barry Coppinger (Labour)

The Northern Echo: Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger

MR Coppinger was elected as Cleveland's first Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012. He has spent almost 30 years in local politics, including serving as a Labour councillor, and as a member of Cleveland Police Authority.

"As Police and Crime Commissioner I have attended over 350 local meetings across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland, using feedback to draw up a policing plan reflecting public priorities.

"Cleveland Police face extremely challenging financial circumstances. In the past six years we have seen a real term cut of £36 million (33 per cent) in Government grants resulting in the loss of over 400 posts.

"For some forces the answer to financial pressures has been to vastly reduce Neighbourhood Policing. I am pleased to say that, following considerable work by my Office and the Chief Constable, Neighbourhood Policing is being retained in Cleveland.

"I will continue to fight against Government cuts to policing and will continue to have as my priorities the protection of the vulnerable and the strengthening of Neighbourhood Policing.

"I have overseen major efficiency savings. My office costs 30 per cent less than the Police Authority it replaced – that’s about £350,000 a year to be ploughed back into frontline Neighbourhood Policing.

"Where there are areas for improvement I will hold the Chief Constable to account in making these improvements."

Steve Matthews (UKIP)

The Northern Echo:

MR Matthews was the chair of Cleveland Police Federation before he left the force in 2013. He is a former police detective with 27 years' police service including in the drugs squad, murder investigation, special branch and the organised crime unit. Before that he was a combat medic in the British Army.

He says he is a critic of corruption and racism within Cleveland Police, and is well positioned to support an independent investigation, enforce standards and rebuild trust.

His last police position was elected Cleveland Police Federation chairman. Since then he has worked as a security consultant and close protection operative, while also working part-time with young men with autism in recent months, teaching life skills.

Mr Matthews says the residents of Cleveland pay 14.5 per cent more than the national average but receive a service the HMIC classify as ‘requires improvement’.

The poor decisions of outsourcing and PFI mean taxpayers' money is funding higher back office and debt costs, he says.

A stronger performing Cleveland Police needs to regain a solid financial position and accountability for spending. With overall crime up 18 per cent, Mr Matthews says his main priorities are putting more police on the streets and preventing crime.

Matthew Vickers (Conservative)

The Northern Echo:

A BUSINESS and law graduate, Mr Vickers has worked in retail management and takes a keen interest in his family’s construction firm. He is a member of Stockton Council, is passionate about law enforcement and crime prevention, and has served on Cleveland’s Police and Crime Panel.

Mr Vickers says he has a strong reputation of standing up for local people and fighting wasteful spending.

"You are now more likely to be a victim of crime in Cleveland than anywhere else in the country, the force has been criticised in an independent inspection for the way it spends public money and it desperately needs change," he says.

Mr Vickers wants victims put first, money spent wisely and more officer time spent actually policing.

His five-point plan to improve Cleveland Police involves:

  • Cutting crime will be his number one objective.
  • Reducing paperwork and bureaucracy and making use of technology to ensure officers can spend more time actually policing.
  • Supporting tougher community sentences so justice can be seen to be done.
  • Pushing for more visible and effective neighbourhood policing. Reducing the amount of money spent on senior officers’ salaries and back office to free more resources to put more officers onto the streets. Recruiting more special constables.
  • Building trust in our police force and cleaning up its tarnished reputation.