SIX CANDIDATES will stand for election as the new police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Nominations for the post closed on Friday (Oct 19), ahead of the election on November 15.
The winning candidate will oversee policing in the region and decide how police budgets are spent to tackle crime.
Candidates have set out their priorities on an information website dedicated to the police elections www.policeelections.com
More information about the role can be found on the Home Office website.
David Goodall (Liberal Democrat)
An Eastleigh councillor who works at an electronics engineering firm, David Goodall is the son of a retired Hampshire police inspector and brother to a serving officer.
He has said officers' time should be spent doing police work and not paperwork.
"Like many in public life I have several hats, these include borough councillor, parish councillor and secondary school governor. Professionally I'm a chartered engineer and project manager currently working against cyber crime. Here I have my very first hat on, that of a policeman's son."
Simon Hayes (Independent)
A former Conservative councillor in the New Forest, now standing as an Independent candidate, Simon Hayes said: "I’m the chairman of Crimestoppers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and a past chairman of Hampshire Police Authority. I’m standing free and independent of any party political pressure or obligation.
"I believe that you, not party politicians, should decide how you want to be policed. I will make it possible for your voice to be heard, so together we can do what works to cut crime and make our communities safer places to live. "
Don Jerrard (Justice and Anti-Corruption Party)
A retired solicitor and partner of an international law firm who lives in Greatham, near Liphook, Mr Jerrard said he would fight the abuse of power within public authorities and wants the police to better protect victims of crime.
He said on the party website (www.jacparty.org.uk): "I believe the commissioner should be entirely independent of all major political parties, and dedicated to ensuring that the law is applied equally to all."
Michael Mates (Conservative)
A former Conservative MP for East Hampshire who served in the army for 20 years, Michael Mates said he would tackle violent and drug-related crime.
He said: "After a career in the army, I was elected to parliament in 1974 and served there for 36 years. I was Minister of State responsible for security in Northern Ireland, and chaired two select committees — defence for six years and Northern Ireland for four.
"I was a founder member of the Prime Minister’s Intelligence and Security Committee and was the senior Conservative member for 16 years."
Jacqui Rayment (Labour)
A Southampton councillor and former chair of the Hampshire Police Authority, Jacqui Rayment said she was the only candidate with 'on the job experience' and would support frontline policing, oppose police cuts and tackle anti-social behaviour.
She said: "I've been involved in policing for 15 years, for the last six as chair of the Hampshire Police Authority. How safe we feel in our communities makes a big difference to us all, that's why I'm passionate about policing and why I'm standing for election."
Stephen West (UKIP)
A former special constable and Conservative councillor at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, before resigning from the party in September, Mr West has pledged not to reduce frontline policing, to support victims of crime and campaign to remove speed cameras.
He said: "The 12 years experience as a special constable and nine years as a borough councillor have given me a good foundation and understanding of community safety, representing communities and dealing with public sector finance. I will have zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour and I will not cut police numbers. Simple!"