New PCC makes history
8 May 2024
Gwent’s new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) made history when she became the first woman in Wales to be elected to the role.
Jane Mudd, the Labour candidate, takes over as Gwent PCC after Jeff Cuthbert who had held the post since 2016 stood down.
Jane received 28,476 votes while her nearest rival – Conservative Hannah Jarvis – received 21,919. Turn-out was 15.63 per cent. Jane has vowed to prioritise youth and social justice.
“We congratulate the new PCC on her election and for making history in doing so. We look forward to working with her to help improve the policing service for the communities we serve,” says Matthew Candy, chair of Gwent Police Federation.
“But we also hope she will listen to our concerns and to those of our members. Just last month, the results of the most recent Police Federation pay and morale survey showed that our members are struggling financially with one in five never or almost never having enough money to cover their monthly essentials. That is just not right. Officers put their lives on the line while carrying out their duties and should be paid fairly for that.
“While police pay is not within the PCC’s gift, she will be able to speak up for officers and we hope that she will do that.
“If the Force is to provide an effective policing service for the public it serves then it needs to have a workforce that is made up well-motivated and hard-working officers and staff and that will only be achieved if they are paid fairly, if they feel valued by the Government and the public and if their wellbeing is prioritised.”
Matthew added that one of the new PCC’s first key responsibilities will be to appoint a new Chief Constable.
“With Pam Kelly having announced her intention to retire as Chief later this year, the search is on for someone to take over from her. The new PCC will be a key part of this process and it is critically important that the right person is appointed. It will mean that we have two new people at the helm and they must be able to work together for the benefit of the Force, its workforce and the public we all serve.”
In South Wales, Emma Wools was elected as PCC, following Sir Alun Michael’s decision not to seek re-election after 12 years in office, meaning that two of the four Welsh PCCs are now women.
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