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.

Ahead of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane has recorded a video message to honour those that have fallen in the duty of serving our country.

Policing is under significant pressure, with operational demand rising and resources being stretched due to prolonged underfunding. The question of what police should focus on has become topical again following the APCC & NPCC Partnership Summit this week.

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.

My core purpose is to add value to keeping all those I serve SAFER. Sustaining, enhancing, changing and transforming our approaches to keeping us safer and in that common purpose enabling operationally effective policing that continues to defeat those who commit crime and wish us harm – this expands that single word ‘SAFER’.

Keeping our rural communities safer remains high on my agenda. Recently I have met with representatives of the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association, and Members of both Houses of Parliament to hear national perspectives and discuss local opportunities.

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

The Police and Crime Commissioner sends a thank you to community volunteers across the Hampshire Constabulary policing area.

In recent weeks I have increasingly been highlighting the aspects of my work that go beyond policing, in particular my role in working with partners across the whole community safety and criminal justice system.

Local safety for everyone has increasing elements of international, national and regional input.  Risks are able to be initiated remotely and controlled remotely. But the impact is on individuals where they live, work or have their digital footprints. So our actions locally will always be an important component of our safety.

The members of Hampshire Constabulary turn up each day to keep us safer, bringing courage and professional skills to meet the challenges each day presents in often the most complex, stressful and physically demanding of circumstances.

I am aware of the concerns raised by some people and groups about this year’s policing budget, the costs of my office, and perhaps even my role and that of other Police and Crime Commissioners.

Yesterday I jointly hosted a Cyber Protect conference that focused on how we keep our young people safer while enabling them to make the most of technology and the digital world.

On Tuesday 19 December the Minister of State the Right Honourable Nick Hurd made his statement on police funding in the House of Commons. 

Keeping people SAFER in my area is currently underfunded when measured against community desires and expectations.  This applies across many parts of public service and has its versions in the public sector, supporting agencies, the third sector and from access to businesses in an affordable way for those who need commercial services.

I always welcome HMICFRS inspections for the value they bring independently testing the Constabulary and comparing best and good practice nationally.

Following a routine one-to-one update with the Chief Constable on topical issues it was good to engage with the senior force executive team of the Constabulary.