Trowbridge man stands in Police Commissioner elections (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Trowbridge man stands in Police Commissioner elections
3:16pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News
Liam Silcocks is standing as an independent
West Ashton man Liam Silcocks has put himself forward as an Independent candidate in next month’s Police Commissioner elections, standing on a platform of increased police accountability.
On November 15 electors in Wiltshire will vote in the county’s first police and crime commissioner, who will replace Wiltshire Police Authority, a group of 17 councillors and independent members who currently oversee Wiltshire Police.
Mr Silcocks, 42, says that if he is elected he will immediately set up an independent review of alleged historical wrongdoings by Wiltshire Police.
Mr Silcocks, who works in IT and telecoms and has previously been a paid and volunteer advisor with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, said: “It’s all about increased police accountability. If elected I will be somebody the public can approach, I won’t hide.
“One of my key commitments if elected is to commission an independent panel to investigate any historical wrongdoings by Wiltshire Constabulary/Police, at every level within the force, with no time limits.
“I do and always have believed that the overwhelming majority of police in Wiltshire join up to serve, protect and support their communities and am always conscious the police do an incredibly couragous, difficult and dangerous job.
“In order to attempt to truly and fully restore the faith, trust and confidence of the people of Wiltshire we need to deal with any wrongdoings once and for all. It will happen at some point as society demands more and more accountability.
"It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when it happens and I think we should do it now to make sure future generations have complete trust in the force.”
Mr Silcocks has also pledged to suspend use of the LTi 20-20 speed gun by the force, pending an investigation into its accuracy following complaints that it can give erroneous readings.
He said he believes Wiltshire Police generally has the right approach to tackling crime, but would like to see pubs and clubs take more responsibility for selling alcohol to intoxicated people, and face punishment when being irresponsible.
Angus Macpherson will stand as Conservative candidate, Clare Moody for Labour and John Short for UKIP. Colin Skelton will also stand as an Independent candidate. The Liberal Democrats have not yet chosen a candidate.
Comments(41)
Mike Hawkins
says...
6:46pm Tue 16 Oct 12
These elections are just political interference in a system that is currently working OK. Police committees made up of various sections of the community are to be replaced by "Commissars"! At the end of the day, police priorities and actions are still going to be governed by Central Government. I shall not waste my time voting for a "Police Commissar" and I would urge others to also boyucott this stupid election.
Tacho
says...
7:07pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Zapper
says...
7:09pm Tue 16 Oct 12
€d
says...
8:59pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Maybe he get all the libraries closed.
ace reporter
says...
9:27pm Tue 16 Oct 12
WR950
says...
10:00pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Thedarkone
says...
11:16pm Tue 16 Oct 12
I know I certainly won't be sat in behind my computer screen **** on this blog on the 15th November. I'll be out voting.
You guys should try it. Have your say. Sitting at home won't change anything!!
TreborMint
says...
11:56pm Tue 16 Oct 12
I say good luck to anybody who wants to investigate this kind of thing to tackle corruption
notscot
says...
7:14am Wed 17 Oct 12
For crap's sake don't vote for this guy - if he isn't able to see the AMAZING amount of work that the police, Trad. Standards AND the pubs & clubs - working together - have done over the last 18months to reduce the number of incidents related to alcohol and promote responsible attitudes toward the sale of alcohol - he's an idiot. YES - there are still incidents - but the improvements are good - attitudes are changing - they're working together to continue to make changes.
Or is he just another leech willing to take the credit for the work of others?
And his stated intention to waste the overstretched, severely limited funds of Wiltshire Police in his pet "historical accountability" project shows a man totally out of touch with reality.
notscot
says...
9:17am Wed 17 Oct 12
Thedarkone wrote:There are none so blind....arrogant sometmes, too.
I think it's a good thing someone isn't scared about fighting and being passionate about something they strongly believe in. I've done my research on this guy and he certainly seems to know his stuff.
I know I certainly won't be sat in behind my computer screen **** on this blog on the 15th November. I'll be out voting.
You guys should try it. Have your say. Sitting at home won't change anything!!
TreborMint
says...
9:23am Wed 17 Oct 12
Maybe those that might get found out?
I think all these negative comments are probably from the same kind of people.
I will definately be voting.
redrum
says...
9:59am Wed 17 Oct 12
notscot
says...
11:09am Wed 17 Oct 12
TreborMint wrote:Who would object to this guy riding in like the lone ranger and wasting our taxes by repeating what's been done? Me - for one.
I wonder who in Wiltshire really would have an issue with a guy saying he wants to set up an independant enquiry to look into Wiltshire Police Corruption?
Maybe those that might get found out?
I think all these negative comments are probably from the same kind of people.
I will definately be voting.
I have absolutely NO problem in an enquiry being set up to investigate ANY & ALL actions taken by the police that have so much of a HINT of corruption about them. Burt let it be INDEPENDANT of the post of PCC.
The elected can then get on and do a proper job - rathen than a personally motivated waste of tax-payers money, simply to "get your face" in the local rags.
notscot
says...
11:11am Wed 17 Oct 12
TreborMint
says...
12:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
In this article he says
“I do and always have believed that the overwhelming majority of police in Wiltshire join up to serve, protect and support their communities and am always conscious the police do an incredibly couragous, difficult and dangerous job.'
So i think this guy has his finger firmly on the post.
If he can go someway to restoring public confidence around a minority of bent coppers - then he gets my vote.
If your that passionate about people not voting for him - why dont you run?
I do agree with the comb comment tho.
TreborMint
says...
12:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
In this article he says
“I do and always have believed that the overwhelming majority of police in Wiltshire join up to serve, protect and support their communities and am always conscious the police do an incredibly couragous, difficult and dangerous job.'
So i think this guy has his finger firmly on the post.
If he can go someway to restoring public confidence around a minority of bent coppers - then he gets my vote.
If your that passionate about people not voting for him - why dont you run?
I do agree with the comb comment tho.
notscot
says...
1:33pm Wed 17 Oct 12
And as for restoring confidence around bent coppers - what for? Sack them.
If you mean that you need him to assure you that all coppers aren't crooks - I'd suggest he's wasting his time - anyone who feels that way about the police in general isn't about to change their minds on the say so of the newly (short-term only) elected ipcc - no matter who it is.
TreborMint
says...
3:33pm Wed 17 Oct 12
WR950
says...
7:00pm Wed 17 Oct 12
notscot
says...
7:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12
WR950 wrote:That's a no. And I somehow I doubt that TM will be standing, either.
Are you offering to put up the £5k it'll cost notscot to stand then?
notscot
says...
7:43pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Mrs Donnyfly
says...
8:36pm Wed 17 Oct 12
notscot wrote:Trebor Mint sounds more like Tintin's campaign manager than a potential candidate in his own right.
WR950 wrote:That's a no. And I somehow I doubt that TM will be standing, either.
Are you offering to put up the £5k it'll cost notscot to stand then?
DaveHegarty
says...
2:17am Thu 18 Oct 12
I spy with my little eye, something beginning with "moron who got caught speeding a few times once and wants to take out the officer that caught him, under the veil of "corruption". "
This guy wants to:
- Actively start witch hunts against officers who try their hardest to keep Wiltshire a decent place to live.
- Ban use of a device very rarely (if at all) used since the abolition of the Road Safety Traffic Enforcement Scam-me-out-of-£60 Unit.
- Increase accountability in one of the most over-accountable organisations in the country.
It's almost like the guy took a blow to the head shortly before meeting the reporter... Take my advice pal, save your £5k and go away.
Mrs Donnyfly
says...
7:43am Thu 18 Oct 12
Wiltshire is a decent place to live, but I don't think the police should take the credit for that..
notscot
says...
9:04am Thu 18 Oct 12
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:I don't think he tried to give the police the credit for Wiltshire being a decent place in which to live - just credit for doing their best to keep it that way.
Dave Hegarty said - "Actively start witch hunts against officers who try their hardest to keep Wiltshire a decent place to live"
Wiltshire is a decent place to live, but I don't think the police should take the credit for that..
Mrs Donnyfly
says...
12:22pm Thu 18 Oct 12
notscot wrote:What's the difference?
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:I don't think he tried to give the police the credit for Wiltshire being a decent place in which to live - just credit for doing their best to keep it that way.
Dave Hegarty said - "Actively start witch hunts against officers who try their hardest to keep Wiltshire a decent place to live"
Wiltshire is a decent place to live, but I don't think the police should take the credit for that..
TreborMint
says...
12:47pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Someone commented above on speeding - if you search google you'll see that this guy apparently worked with the Swindon & Wilts Camera partnership as part of 2 road safety campaigns it says he was involved in so I suspect he knows his apples. Also, if you google that speed camera that's being mentioned the lti 20/20 you'll understand why he's suggested suspending its use because according to the guardian, daily mail, bbc and others - looks like a lot of people are being unfairly caught speeding but the police keep and it seems are using that device - even police officers - who have successfully challenged them.
I love the way people call it a which hunt. The Hillsborough families were ridiculed for 23 years in the same way, being accused of campaigning and demanding a which hunt to shift the blame from there apparently drunk dead family members. The campaigners of the Cardiff3 were also ridicules as were the Gloucestershire2 and the Birmingham5.
Your right - Theres not a miniority of police that are corrupt and they don't ruin the reputation of the majority of decent coppers.
You might be better off posting comments at disney.com - that's for fantasy.
DaveHegarty
says...
2:11pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Mrs DF, my point wasn't that the police deserve the credit for Wiltshire being nice; Wiltshire deserves the credit for Wiltshire being nice. However, there is an element of input from the police that keeps it this way, along with good work from the various councils.
Why would you want a guy in charge who's looking backwards? He seems like a one-trick pony, woefully under qualified for the position of elected police scapegoat.
TreborMint
says...
2:27pm Thu 18 Oct 12
I've also just found this: https://www.liamsilc
ocks.co.uk .. I think this candidate knows more about the Police than a lot of you give him credit for.
I googled the name on his website - why don't you try it.
notscot
says...
4:20pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:ReallY??? I don't believe you.
notscot wrote:What's the difference?Mrs Donnyfly wrote: Dave Hegarty said - "Actively start witch hunts against officers who try their hardest to keep Wiltshire a decent place to live" Wiltshire is a decent place to live, but I don't think the police should take the credit for that..I don't think he tried to give the police the credit for Wiltshire being a decent place in which to live - just credit for doing their best to keep it that way.
DaveHegarty
says...
9:24pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Bloke seems like an idiot still, don't want a one trick pony like this in charge of my hard paid tax
TreborMint
says...
10:14am Fri 19 Oct 12
Then I must be an idiot for still wanting the person who stole my iphone to be eventually caught.
Infact, on that basis - anybody who has ever been the victim of crime who wants justice must be an idiot Mr Hegarty.
Ive read information on all the candidates - some I agree with some i dont - but im not going to sit in my armchair or hide behind a newspaper blog and call any of the candidates childish names as most of them seem to have actually contributed to society and are standing because they believe in something.
If any candidate has made a link between a serious crime and a serving police officer - i think we should know about it or should we sweep it under the carpet like they have elsewhere ie: Hillsborough, Cardiff, Birmingham etc.
Lets hope you never become a victim of crime.
notscot
says...
11:59am Fri 19 Oct 12
TreborMint wrote:Hey - on that basis - let's re-visit EVERY case where a suspect was never identified. Where a not-guilty verdict was delivered. Where a victim was unhappy with an outcome. Where a suspect was unhappy with an outcome.
So a man is an idiot because he wants somebody held to account for probably the worst type of crime - a death or murder that seems to have happened whilst in the care of a police service - and appears to remain unsolved?
Then I must be an idiot for still wanting the person who stole my iphone to be eventually caught.
Infact, on that basis - anybody who has ever been the victim of crime who wants justice must be an idiot Mr Hegarty.
Ive read information on all the candidates - some I agree with some i dont - but im not going to sit in my armchair or hide behind a newspaper blog and call any of the candidates childish names as most of them seem to have actually contributed to society and are standing because they believe in something.
If any candidate has made a link between a serious crime and a serving police officer - i think we should know about it or should we sweep it under the carpet like they have elsewhere ie: Hillsborough, Cardiff, Birmingham etc.
Lets hope you never become a victim of crime.
What on earth do you mean by wanting someone held to account for a death or murder that "SEEMS" to have happened while in the care of a police service? And "appears" to have remained unsolved? A death either happened or didn't happen, no matter the cause. And a murder CAN remain unsoved - there's no "appears" about it.
Murder is murder - are you implying that there is a body out there, unaccounted for? A person who's death and identity is unexplained?
Don't "imply" - state your cause or reason - state your facts.
I have NO DOUBT that every victim of crime would want the incident in which they were involved to be successfully resolved. But that ISN'T going to happen, is it? Unpleasant, but true.
Apply a little reality and a lot more honesty, please.
As for:
"If any candidate has made a link between a serious crime and a serving police officer - i think we should know about it"
Totally agree.
TreborMint
says...
1:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12
But i believe, and I hope others would agree, it is silly to sit behind a blog and call somebody names just because he or she wants to bring another serious agenda to the table.
If a candidate was standing on an agenda of respraying all police cars pink with blue spots - yea - then he or she would be opening themselves up to being called fitting names.
But people just dont campaign and, from what i have read, assist others for 15 or however many years for kicks.
This candidate says he wants the police service to face issues and move the service forward.
Its a shame the BBC didn't do the same thing given recent events.
notscot
says...
1:40pm Fri 19 Oct 12
TreborMint wrote:Funny - you appear to believe that this candidate is ONLY one of TWO people - the other being your good self - that wants police accountability.
Your absolutely right NotScot. I havent implied or accused anybody of anything as I only know a bit about the case and it would be very foolish of me to do so.
But i believe, and I hope others would agree, it is silly to sit behind a blog and call somebody names just because he or she wants to bring another serious agenda to the table.
If a candidate was standing on an agenda of respraying all police cars pink with blue spots - yea - then he or she would be opening themselves up to being called fitting names.
But people just dont campaign and, from what i have read, assist others for 15 or however many years for kicks.
This candidate says he wants the police service to face issues and move the service forward.
Its a shame the BBC didn't do the same thing given recent events.
The whole world and his dog wants that.
There are more and more "measures" placed on the police each year to try to ensure this. I don't mind further measures - but let's not pretend that ther are none - or that this candidate's platform is original. Same old chestnuts, I'm afraid.
And yes - there ARE people who will "devote" countless years to so-called "public assistance" - for personal gain. And you know that.
The anonymity of these forums allows free comment without fear of reprisal - most people here aren't just ridiculing - they seriously believe this chap has less than most to offer the new post. And they have every right to say so.
Yes- there are idiots with nothing to offer but insults and slurs - but they are in the minority.
bigbadjohn
says...
7:01pm Fri 19 Oct 12
TreborMint
says...
7:06pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I think, given what i have just seen on BBC news, its time to move on from this thread.
notscot
says...
11:33pm Fri 19 Oct 12
TreborMint wrote:You can move on any time you want. You don't have to ridicule anyone either. But If I believe that a candidate's platform is based on old chestnuts and expensive pet "projects" I'll say so. Regardless of the BBC News.
Well - im not going to ridicule or slate anybody based on cherry picked comments from a newspaper article. I suspect all the candidates have many more ideas and policies compared to what the press has reported. I think, given what i have just seen on BBC news, its time to move on from this thread.
old 'arry
says...
6:56am Sat 20 Oct 12
lellysmum
says...
1:50pm Mon 22 Oct 12
weasels ripped my flesh says...
6:23pm Tue 16 Oct 12