THE CANDIDATES have now been declared in the election of a police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
There will be seven names on the ballot papers when voters across East Hampshire go to the polls on Thursday, May 5.
They are: Richard Adair (Liberal Democrat), Simon Hayes (Independent), Don Jerrard (Independent), Michael Lane (Conservative), Robin Price (Labour), Roy Swales (UK Independent Party) and Steve Watts (ex-chief of Zero Tolerance Policing).
Retired solicitor Don Jerrard, who lives at Greatham, stood in the last election on the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party ticket. He is keen to fight abuse of power within police authorities.
Lib Dem candidate Richard Adair lives in Aldershot and was a policeman on the beat in Southampton, including a year with the vice squad, for ten years.
The ethos of former Conservative councillor turned Independent Simon Hayes, who is seeking re-election as the PCC after being in the post for three years, has been to keep politics out of policing.
Michael Lane from Gosport is a former Royal Navy commodore and council officer. He is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of communities.
Solicitor Robin Price, from Seaview on the Isle of Wight, is highlighting the perils of government cuts to frontline policing.
Former police officer Roy Swales, from Totton, worked for ten years as a constable for Surrey Police, and for nine years with Hampshire Constabulary as a civilian after being injured and retired.
Steve Watts, of Portsmouth, served for 31 years with Hampshire Constabulary, in uniform and as an investigator. He has led units in areas such as public order, counter terrorism and child protection.