PCC is re-elected

3 May 2024

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris is seeking a meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tim Passmore to discuss the future of policing the county.

Darren has congratulated the PCC on being re-elected to the post, but wants to hear first-hand his plans for tackling the current crisis in policing.

“We congratulate Mr Passmore on his re-election and look forward to hearing what he now intends to do to deal with the issues affecting police officers right now,” says Darren.

“Officer morale is low, our members just do not feel that they are valued by the Government and, while we need to see more officers recruited, we also need to see the Force do more to retain the officers we have already.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tim Passmore.

“Just last month, 15 officers left the Force, it’s almost like they cannot get out of the door quick enough. Police officers’ pay has fallen by 20 per cent in real terms over recent years and they are simply not paid enough when you consider the dangers they face, day in, day out when fighting and preventing crime and serving and protecting our communities.

“Mr Passmore has been our PCC since the role was first established in 2012 so he should be fully aware of the crisis in policing. He has established a working relationship with our chief officers and, of course, we have met with him over the last 12 years.

“But we now want to sit down with him again and discuss what plans he has to work with us to tackle the issues that are concerning our members and that are affecting the Force’s ability to provide the policing service the public deserve.”

Mr Passmore secured 41.05 per cent of the 131,731 votes cast in Thursday’s election, seeing off his nearest rival, Labour Party candidate Robin Wales, who attracted 32.34 per cent of the vote. Turn-out was just 22.69 per cent.

Darren added: “It is disappointing that so few people took the time to vote in this election, given the important role carried out by the PCC in terms of the safety and security of our communities.”

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