South Hams Liberal Democrats

Vote for Brian Blake.

As a former police officer in the Devon and Cornwall Police, Brian is ideally suited to be the region's next PCC. During a career of more than 30 years, he worked in nine stations across the two counties, starting in uniform before moving on to CID, Special Branch and the Regional and National Crime Squads.

Brian retired with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector and then worked with the MoD and NATO, mainly in Europe, in security related roles. His expertise was such that he was invited to address the Chief Constables Conference on international crime issues. He spoke on the same subject at Interpol conferences in Lyon and Madrid. He brings this experience of national and international policing to his candidacy for Devon and Cornwall's next PCC.

The PCC is required to work with the Chief Constable to produce an annual Police and Crime Plan. If elected, his Plan will be underpinned by Sir Robert Peel's definition of policing: "the prevention and detection of crime." The issues may have evolved but policing still has the same fundamental objectives.

Brian has seen at first hand the damage that crime does to individuals, families and communities, and will argue strongly in favour of:

• visible police patrols
• improved detection rates
• fighting hate crime
• rigorous pursuit of drug dealers, and re-hab programmes for addicts
• fairer funding for the police

He will also work closely with victim support services and charities, including rape crisis centres, domestic violence support organisations, and military veterans organisations.

As your successful candidate, he will have to swear an oath of impartiality. As a former copper, he takes such oaths very seriously.