Avon and Somerset’s newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Sue Mountstevens, has said that she will ‘prioritise diversity within policing’ and ‘protecting the most vulnerable’ at her swearing-in ceremony in Bristol.
Speaking at the event at the Trinity Arts Centre, she acknowledged that the police had made mistakes and that there has to be ‘honesty with local people.’
She said she hoped to ‘reach out to local leaders of all parties to meet the challenges’ they all face over the next four-years.
Ms Mountstevens, who is the only female independent PCC in the country, also emphasised her focus on protecting vulnerable children and announced that for the first time there will be an Avon and Somerset wide child sexual exploitation (CSE) campaign.
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I am proud and privileged to be starting my second term as Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.
“I feel incredibly humbled that so many residents have put their trust in me once again for the next four years and together I know we can keep our local communities safe and strong.
“I am more determined than ever to listen to the quiet voices and working with all our support services, I want to help our victims cope, re-cover and rebuild their lives.
“I will also work tirelessly to strengthen our bonds with local partners in order to ensure we continue offering the right support victims need.
“A focus for me will also be tackling child sexual exploitation. We all have a responsibility to safeguard our children and we must protect them this terrible crime.
“Working together better, we can do more to fight abuse of all-forms from domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation and human trafficking.”
The ceremony was attended by the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary Andy Marsh as well as over 90 distinguished guests. During her speech, Ms Mountstevens invited Chief Inspector (CI) Norman Pascal to the stage to talk about the Constabulary’s vision for a representative workforce.
CI Norman Pascal said: “We have been doing a considerable amount of work in our communities, talking to schools, universities, youth clubs and visiting anywhere where people will talk to us and where we can inspire young people to see the Constabulary as an employer of choice.
“I am confident we can get there but we need the help of all of our communities to make this a reality.”
Ms Mountstevens shared her wishes of seeing ‘far greater diversity and true equality of opportunity’ over the next four years and said: “a successful police force is one that reflects the community it serves.
“I am under no illusion as to the challenges ahead but I have never been more hopeful that we will get there.”
You can read the Declaration of Acceptance of Office here: www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/Your-PCC/Oath-of-Impartiality.aspx.
