Ex-police chief Paul Davison given tough time on Crime Commissioner campaign trail
AS divisional commander of Humberside Police in the East Riding, Paul Davison was used to being listened to.
But as he seeks election to the new job of Humberside Police And Crime Commissioner he is being given a rough ride when visiting parish and town councils across East Yorkshire.
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'ELECTIONEERNG': Humberside police and crime commissioner candidate Paul Davison.
Mr Davison, who left the East Riding division as the safest place in the country to live when he retired in March this year, says his aim is to be a totally independent candidate with no political commitments. Some councils, though, have criticised him for electioneering.
At Beverley Town Council, Mayor Margaret Pinder said: "Your idea of the line between electioneering (and advising) is more blurred than mine. If you have an elected role, it's naive to think it's not political."
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At Hedon Town Council, several councillors refused to listen to the former officer and left the meeting.
Mr Davison said: "All I was trying to do was raise awareness of the election but some people did not like what I was saying and didn't even look at me when I was talking."
Mr Davison led the East Riding division for the last four years of his 30 years' service with the force. During his time as divisional commander, he decided every crime committed would be investigated, no matter how small.
Mr Davison said: "If I am successful I will take the vision that has been successful in the East Riding. I would not go near this job if I hadn't been a police officer."
Despite having received support from the East Yorkshire Independents party, Mr Davison says he will owe no allegiance to any party and will simply fight to give the people in the Humberside force area the best possible service.
But, faced with party politics at council meetings, the former chief superintendent struggled to get his message across.
Addressing Beverley Town Council this week, Mr Davison was told he had ten minutes, including questions.
He said: "You are the leaders of the public you serve, that's why I'm here. I don't know how much you know about the police and crime commissioner role but it will affect your families. Appointing the next chief constable after Mr (Tim) Hollis will be crucial.
"The new chief constable should get a three-year contract and a set of targets and told if they don't achieve these targets they will be sacked."
Mrs Pinder, a Labour mayor who will support former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in November's election, brought the discussion to a close.
Conservatives on the council have questioned whether Mr Davison can be non-political when he has support from the East Yorkshire Independents party.
At Hedon Town Council there is less of a party political divide but several councillors felt it was the wrong forum for the candidate to express his views. Councillors Allen Marshall and Ann Suggitt both left their seats. Councillor John Dennis had opted not to sit at the meeting because Mr Davison would be speaking.
Mr Davison will hold a street surgery outside Wilkinsons in Toll Gavel, Beverley, from 10.30am to 12.30pm today.
Comments
by LadyMaGa
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 4:37PM
“Some clarification on this article.
At Beverley Town Council all guest speakers are allowed only ten minutes under the council's standing orders. No one walked out on Mr Davison at Beverley. He announced his address would be informational only and have no personal electioneering content, but he then did speak about his own candidacy. The ten minutes was in fact extended as a courtesy to allow councillors to put questions and for Mr Davison to reply.
If a role like this is decided by public vote, it is inevitably political. There appears to be a misunderstanding here between the concept of 'political' and 'party political'. Mr Davison is not standing as a party political candidate. My comment was on the nature of the role and its selection process rather than Mr Davison's own position.
I am a Labour councillor and personally support John Prescott's campaign. No surprises there. But I welcome any debate on this issue and applaud anyone who is willing to put themselves forward for any role that involves public service even if I oppose them ideologically within that forum.
Beverley Town Council accepted Mr Davison's request to speak, received him courteously, within the time remit of our rules but with robust questions and comments, and thanked him for his visit. On behalf of all my fellow councillors of whatever political affiliation I rebut any suggestion that he was treated rudely or without consideration at Beverley.
Councillor Margaret Pinder”
by Woodhey
Sunday, September 23 2012, 4:07PM
“All I can remember about the guy was that he had the cleanest shoes in the Humberside Force. I never saw him wearing boots. Enough said?”
by Zygmunt
Sunday, September 23 2012, 11:22AM
“I remember this man standing up and announcing that it was more important to ensure that public perception was attended to than presenting them with facts. He did this in front of all of the officers in his Division. I would rather have facts as opposed to spin, anyone else feel the same?”
by Ispy2
Saturday, September 22 2012, 9:46PM
“My vote goes to pc Jefferson. He has neat handwriting and works well with other agencies.”
by PatrickNewman
Saturday, September 22 2012, 10:19AM
“Perhaps he received a hard time because he is not sponsored and paid for by a political party. I am sure he will recover from being assaulted by dead sheep.”
by Kustard2011
Saturday, September 22 2012, 9:03AM
“If Mr Davison told me it was night time I would have to open the curtains and check my self. I would not trust this man. Please don't vote for the biggest ego that the Humberside Police has ever employed.”