Police commissioner's pledge after re-selection

POLICE and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings declared “progress has been made, but there remains much more to do” after being selected to stand for the post again.

The Labour PCC will be the party’s candidate for re-election to the post in May.

The church pastor, who was elected in a by-election held in November 2014 following the resignation of Shaun Wright, was unanimously approved by all the Constituency Labour Parties and affiliated organisations across South Yorkshire.

 

Dr Billings (pictured) said he was “very pleased” to have been reselected, adding: “Since taking up the post just over one year ago, I have worked hard to hold the Police Force to account on behalf of the public and to begin the task of rebuilding trust in the force.

“Some good progress has been made, though there remains much more to do.

 

“Looking forward, the biggest challenge will be to maintain neighbourhood policing with the far fewer officers and PCSOs that we now have but I am committed to making this a priority.

 

“We also have to find better ways of working with partners - the local authorities, the NHS, Fire and Ambulance, the voluntary sector - if between us we are to meet the increasing demands on all of us from the growing number of vulnerable people in our society.

 

“I welcome the opportunity to ask the public of South Yorkshire to put their trust in me again and to use my experience, knowledge and work ethic to help deliver a police service we can have confidence in.”