Concerns over Kingston police and community group
8:00am Friday 31st August 2012 in News By Christine Fleming
Concerned: KCPP chairman John Azah
The organisation responsible for ensuring Kingston police are held to account in the community said it faces an uncertain future under Boris Johnson’s watch.
Kingston Community and Police Partnership (KCPP) was concerned the London Mayor’s plan for new safer neighbourhood boards could make them obsolete and potentially jeopardise the effectiveness of holding police to account.
The Mayor of London’s office said police accountability would always remain a priority.
John Azah, KPCC’s chairman, said: “We are not closing yet but I think it is [going to be] very difficult.”
KCPP has been in existence for about 30 years and has helped facilitate situations where residents can meet police and question them at public meetings about issues of concern in their neighbourhoods.
The partnership said it had suffered funding cuts, like many other publically-funded organisations, in the past few years but since Mr Johnson took over responsibility for the capital’s policing in June it now has fresh worries.
Mr Azah said: “Communities are in danger of being marginalised because, if Boris gets his eight-member panel, which parts of the community are you going to select? It is going to be very difficult.
“I think if we continue the trend it [KCPP] will cease to be effective or will have to shut up shop.
“There is a tipping point where it becomes vulnerable. We’re not looking for complete funding but fund us at a level where we are able to run an office and talk to communities adequately and challenge the police service.”
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) said Boris’s plan for eight-seat neighbourhood panels was designed to improve police and community communications and a focus would be placed on keeping abreast of current issues and reducing crime.
A Mopac spokeswoman said: “The new boards will ensure appropriate policing priorities for each borough are established and maintained.
“One of the key benefits will be members will be involved for a maximum of three years, and places will be reserved for councillors and young people on each one.
“These measures will mean both a regular refreshing of opinions, strong linkage with the boroughs and a wide diversity of views."
Comments(3)
R Batson
says...
6:31pm Fri 31 Aug 12
Thus one can report repeated crime allegations to Police, They can take no action until forced to. Then when suspects taken to court and court orders given re bail, the Police ignore enforcing such court orders. The family get driven out of their home just prior to Christmas because Police fail to enforce court orders respecting bail conditions. The stress upon the family by this lack of Police action and proper conduct finally causes the break of the victims family and the Police do not have to account to no one about such poor Policing. Absolutely incredible and this is a real case which is still on going. Thus I can not identify anyone for legal reasons.
Beverly RA
says...
10:08pm Fri 31 Aug 12
And what did you do about the R Batson report? above.
Are you worth funding ?
Why do we need KPCC ? Dose everything in life need a committee Funded out of tax payers money?
Police Chief David Couper says...
4:26pm Fri 31 Aug 12
ce.wordpress.com/ where other current police improvement issues are discussed. Good luck and may we all experience not just good but great policing! Great policing is accomplished by police who are well-trained and led, restrained in their use of force, honest, and courteous to every citizen.