Candidates for new police commissioner roles confirmed (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Candidates named for police commissioner roles

6:30pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Emily Flanagan, Reporter

THE candidates vying to become the first ever police and crime commissioners have today (Friday, October 19) been named.

The names of those standing for election in each police force area in the region have now been revealed, after the deadline for nominations closed at midday today. The directly-elected commissioner will replace the appointed police authorities and have the power to hire and fire the chief constable.

They will also set police budgets and policing priorities, drawing up a five-year policing plan with the chief constable. Voters will go to the polls on November 15. In the Northumbria area four candidates will contest the election.

Those up for nomination are:

• Peter Andras, Liberal Democrats.

• Vera Baird, Labour.

• Phil Butler, Conservative.

• Alistair Baxter, UKIP.

The Cleveland force area has four candidates standing for election:

• Sultan Alam, Independent.

• Barry Coppinger, Labour.

• Ken Lupton, Conservative.

• Joe Michna, Green.

In North Yorkshire there are just two candidates standing:

• Julia Mulligan, Conservative.

• Ruth Potter, Labour.

In the Durham police force area, no official list has been released, but The Northern Echo understands that the candidates include:

• Ron Hogg, Labour.

• Nick Varley, Conservative.

• Kingsley Smith, Independent.

• Mike Costello, UKIP.