I recently had someone say to me that they thought of criminal defence work like ‘drain cleaning’ – a horrible job but someone has to do it!  I like to think that I managed to persuade him that actually it was an extremely fulfilling job but he was right about one thing; someone does have […]

My name is Joanne Jakymec, and I am the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Wessex, which covers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Wiltshire.  

A couple of weeks ago, a survey of 2,100 people, commissioned by various associations of legal professionals, found that Justice is as important to most people as health and education, but also revealed an alarmingly widespread belief that justice favours the wealthy. As a Chief Constable, whose service is delivered for all ‘without fear or favour’, this made me reflect.

Many people will know that the Police and Crime Commissioner works closely with policing but the role beyond policing is sometimes less well known. This beyond policing role not only refers to the commissioned services he funds to support those affected by crime but also to the work with partners across the local justice system.

Anja Kimberley looks at how the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office consults and gathers views. Consultation is more than just asking questions, it’s listening and taking action, this two-way feedback system is essential, though cannot be done in isolation. Working with our partners is key to reaching as many individuals as we can, with everyone’s overall aim of keeping residents safer.

Anja Kimberley, Head of Performance and Information, shows how evidence is at the heart of decision making in the Commissioner’s office.