New commissioner ‘100% confident’ he can quickly get force out of special measures
NEW Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden says he aims to help quickly bring the county force out of special measures.
The Labour former police officer has replaced Caroline Henry as the county’s PCC after winning the election held on Thursday, May 2, and was sworn in to the new role at Nottingham Castle a week later.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been elected. I’m really excited about the future and working with the force to make sure that Nottinghamshire is kept safe and people have trust in their police.
“We’re not always going to get everything right but we are going to try and learn, and we’re going to try and move things forward.”
Mr Godden added that the “first thing” to do in improving the public perception of Nottinghamshire Police would be to build a relationship with Chief Constable Kate Meynell, who has previously faced calls to resign amid criticism over revelations of misconduct by officers and how the aftermath of the Nottingham attacks had been handled by the force.
Nottinghamshire Police was placed into special measures in March by the watchdog after an inspection.
But Mr Godden said he was “100% confident” that he can help get the force out of that position, with his experience as a Labour politician and as a police officer. He said that his advice and guidance would “make sure” that happens as “quickly and efficiently” as possible.
He declined to answer when asked whether he backs a public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks but said he would be working with Kate Meynell’s team to make sure that everything for the families involved is “taken care of and taken seriously.”
He said: “We will also make sure we deliver a rounded response to enable the families to know that they can come to us, talk to us and we can also explain what’s happening to them in a clear, transparent and methodical way to make sure that they have an understanding and are confident that the police are doing what they need to.”
On the topic of being “visible” in the community, he said that people would be able to meet him in person to voice any concerns. His office is at the same headquarters as the police, at Sherwood Lodge in Arnold. He said: “I want our communities to have access to me and they will. I will be out meeting them and will have an arrangement at my office where it will be more accessible.” Mr Godden, who has lived in Nottinghamshire for 30 years, added that he “absolutely loves” the city and the county, which will help him in the role. He said: “Nottinghamshire is my home and I am really keen for it to be one of the best cities in the country in the next four years.”
I am really keen for it to be one of the best cities in the country in the next four years.
Gary Godden