THROUGHOUT this week, the Gazette will be previewing the seven candidates for the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner election on May 5. Today in focus is independent candidate Kevin Phillips.

Standing as an independent candidate, Kevin Phillips believes politics has no place in policing.

He says that “honesty, integrity, openness and fairness” are the principles that have stood by him, underlined by his 26-year policing career, serving as an officer for Avon and Somerset residents.

Fiercely proud of the independent role of the police, Kevin has always been passionate about Avon and Somerset Constabulary and its ability to deliver the best possible service to the residents of the area.

He says: “We are all aware over the last few years, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has gone through what can only be described as a torrid time.

“There have been many negative headlines that have caused reputational damage to the force, not least the disastrous appointment of Nick Gargan, and the fact that we have had six chief constables since 2012, whether substantive or temporary during the last PCC’s term of office.

“The force has gone from being one of the top five respected forces in the country to a force where morale has been to rock bottom from within.

“I want to change that, to be the person that can rebuild that reputation and service delivery in partnership with the new chief constable Andy Marsh for the benefit of the communities of Avon and Somerset.”

If elected as the next police and crime commissioner, Kevin would look to prioritise:

- Putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, ensuring working in partnership the needs of the victims are prioritised;

- Re-focusing and re-assessing the needs of neighbourhood policing, listening to what the public are saying and embed policing back into the communities;

- Protecting the people that protect us, be the PCC that increases the number of police officers and PCSOs year on year to be able to deliver the visible service that is wanted;

- Dealing with traditional and modern day crimes robustly and effectively, making best use of the criminal justice system to achieve the right outcomes;

- Delivering value for money, making sure that the budgets available are spent in the right places to deliver the service residents rightly deserve.