Martin Surl response to questions

							   1. What is your understanding of the role of the Police and Crime
      Commissioner?

The role of the commissioner is to work on behalf of the people of
Gloucestershire to deliver peace and good order and do all he or she can to
make Gloucestershire a safer and more pleasant place to live or visit for
everyone. Of course I’ll speak up for victims and hold the police to account.

The Government has said there is only one target for the police and that is to
reduce crime. If it were only that simple, because working alone they cannot
hope to achieve this and they have other important responsibilities too. The
role of the commissioner is to work with the entire policing and justice family
and the private sector to just one crime reduction and public safety strategy.
This hopefully will achieve a reduction in crime, greater safety and improved
quality of life for all Gloucestershire people. There is also a risk that if the
government cuts the police and VCS budgets further the PCC will have to
manage a period of increased crime and unrest and during this period
enhanced leadership skills will be needed. Much is made of the power to hire
and fire the chief constable, but this is overplayed and our joint aim must be to
support a chief constable and the VCS to achieve our collective aims

The PCC must be honest and transparent and recognise these are hard
times, but despite that, inspire people to see they can also be good times.
Not an easy task, but achievable.



   2. What is your understanding of the Voluntary and Community
      Sector and its role in creating stronger and safer communities?
      How do you see the Voluntary and Community Sector contributing
      to the commissioning process?

The VCS is critical to the success of any commissioning process as the VCS
is where you find the most committed and active people working hard to
reduce crime and improve the quality of life for Gloucestershire’s diverse
community. Without the support of the VCS my manifesto cannot be
delivered. I am concerned that the creation of the PCC role has, in an
unhealthy way, forced the various VSC groups to compete against each other
for what we all know are reduced resources. My aim is to harness all the
skills and resources of the VCS.


   3. How will you engage with people in communities and gain their
      confidence, particularly with regards to young people?

This is one of my key manifesto priorities and one I will pursue with vigour. I
ask you why younger people should trust the establishment. The banks
bankrupted us, the government fiddled their expenses, and the government
spent all the cash leaving the younger generation to pick up the tap. Adding
insult to injury the Home Office has produced a video to promote the PCC role
which portrays young people as violent and dishonest. Against that back
ground I will work with you to build a justice system that works for young
people not against them. Transition from youth to adult hood is a priority for
me and I will not compromise on that. I can’t do this as one person so I’m
banking on the VCS and police to deliver. I will create the environment, but
you must deliver and come up with evidence based solutions.

I am appalled by the number of our young people that are killed or injured on
out roads – it’s unacceptable and must be tackled by all schools, agencies
and authorities


   4. With regards to the Police and Crime Commissioners role around
      inspiration and leadership, how will you bring partners together to
      create a shared vision for Gloucestershire and how will you drive
      this forward?

I’ll be honest with you- austerity is going to last for at least 10 years, but I will
not preside over 10 years of decline. During my first period of office we will
face hard times, but the UK has faced hard times before and we will come
thought this. We will not fight each other – we will work together. Shared
responsibility shared pain and shared credit.


   5. What is your understanding, and opinion, of current structures
      for partnership and delivery for building stronger and safer
      communities?

The structure is complex and not always complimentary. I’ll stream line
meetings, cut the paper work and we’ll all work smarter. The VCS must take
its place at the top table as equal partners with the statutory bodies. I will take
responsibility for this. There will be one crime reduction strategy for all
criminal justice agencies and the VCS which we will agree together. I’ll take
responsibility that and be accountable to you.


   6. How will you manage potential conflicts of party politics in
      responding to local need?

You know I’m not party political, but I recognise politics has been played into
policing and justice systems for many years - that does not make it desirable
or a reason to accept it in the future. The government by creation of the PCC
post will pass a very difficult chalice to the PCC during times of hardship,
austerity and public dissatisfaction and they will then hold the PCC
accountable. Of course I will work with MPs and other elected groups, but not
give favour to any. I am not a member of any party, I have taken no money
from any party, business or individual, there will be no private dinners with
political groups or supporters. There will be equal assess to all. I will be your
PCC, not the XXXX Party PCC. My voluntary governance will be the
Commissioners Forum in addition to the statutory panel.

Closing statements from candidates (3 minutes per candidate)
If you want party politics involved in the management of the Gloucestershire
Police & its justice system you have three parties to choose from – if you don’t
want party politics in policing consider voting for me. If you don’t vote the
appointment will go on party lines.