Standing for: Independent
Experience: Various roles in the police, including constable, CID and acting inspector. Has also been a member of the Police Federation which ensures the welfare and efficiency of officers.
THERE are some who believe that politicians are the right people for the job of police and crime commissioner.
Malcolm Spencer is not one of these people.
"I got involved in the race to become police and crime commissioner because politics has no place in policing in my view," he said.
"Serving officers cannot be members of any political party, so why should that be different for the commissioner?"
With two of the candidates still members of political parties and a third who used to belong to one, Mr Spencer is putting himself forward as the non-political candidate in the race.
Having spent more than 30 years in the police, Mr Spencer said he knows what pressures the police are under.
He added: "The police are doing a lot of things right, such as looking at co-location with councils in West Bridgford, Arnold and Beeston – this kind of move keeps a strong police presence in communities which is needed.
"And sometimes I think that me and Chief Constable Chris Eyre are singing from the same hymn sheet, just with a slightly different tune.
"But there is no question of me being a patsy at all. As a member of the Police Federation, I wasn't afraid to raise my concerns and the same will go if I get the job as commissioner."
Mr Spencer said he is keen to see more work done to prevent crime rather than deal with it.
He said: "You've got to look at the symptoms of crime as well as actually dealing with crime itself. But if you put more resources into preventing it, it saves money in the long term.
"I firmly believe that for every pound spent preventing crime from occurring, around ten or more pounds is saved from having to deal with the effects and aftermath.
"I will also listen to people who know the areas to be policed. I know what I know and am not afraid to ask for opinions and advice when I don't know.
"Residents, community groups and other agencies, as well as strong voluntary groups which exist across the county, know their patches well, and I want to use their knowledge when looking at ways to deal with crime effectively."
He would also like to see the police working harder to tackle prolific offenders, adding: "Working in communities to do this would increase confidence in the force."
