The PFCC is an elected body tasked with handling budgets, appointing chief officers for both the fire and police departments, and generally supervising both forces. The Commissioner will oversee the region that is served by the municipal governments in the North and the West.
Voting in the election will slightly differ this year- in previous PFCC elections a supplementary vote system was used where voters could mark down a first and second choice of candidate. In May, the ‘first past the post’ system will be used giving constituents only one vote.
Applications for candidates looking to represent the county have now closed. Each person must have made a £5,000 deposit to put their name forward, which will only be returned if the candidate secures more than 5 per cent of the total number of votes.
The three individuals in the running are listed below.
Martyn Emberson, a candidate for the PFCC, has 34 years of fire service experience, including nearly ten years as chief fire officer of Northamptonshire. For two years, he was also the chief inspector of the Scottish fire service.
His aims for making Northamptonshire safer include better welfare measures for frontline workers, zero tolerance for crime, visible policing, and community collaboration. In order to address neighbourhood concerns, he has also proposed discussions for a new Police Fire and Crime Plan.
According to Mr. Emberson, he offers to the role “unmatched expertise” in the emergency services.
Ana Savage Gunn, the Liberal candidate for Commissioner, has experience working in the emergency services. After becoming an Inspector in the Northamptonshire Police in 1985, she went on to work as an international law enforcement consultant in the United States.
She called attention to the need for increased financing in the areas of youth work and knife crime prevention. In2021, Ms. Savage Gunn received 15% of the vote when running for Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner. “Fire and Police need strong leadership,” she declared. They don’t need another politician to lead them—morale is at an all-time low.
In June of last year, Danielle Stone was named by Labour as their candidate. Having been elected in 2011, she is presently a member of the West Northamptonshire Council.
“I have advocated for safer communities for many years,” the woman stated. It is incorrect that a lot of people experience a sense of insecurity in their own neighbourhoods, streets, and homes.
“We need to work more closely and in partnerships with local authorities.”
Her other top goals are addressing the root causes of knife crime, increasing funding for organisations that assist victims of domestic abuse, and providing early intervention for adolescents.
Voting is open to residents who have not yet registered until Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59 p.m.
If registered voters apply by mail by Wednesday, April 17, at 5 p.m., they will also be eligible to vote. Before Wednesday, April 24, at 5 p.m., you can request for a proxy vote, which is when someone casts a ballot on your behalf, if you are unable to visit the polls on election day.
Voters who choose to cast their ballots in person must remember to have a valid form of photo identification. It is not necessary for you to carry your ballot with you.
