Brooks calls on new Home Secretary to honour Essex police promise
Brooks Newmark yesterday pressed the new Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Dr. John Reid, to honour the Government's promise to listen to the people of Essex before pressing ahead with planned Police Force mergers. Braintree MP Brooks Newmark yesterday pressed the new Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Dr. John Reid, to honour the Government's promise to listen to the people of Essex before pressing ahead with planned Police Force mergers.
During Question time in the House of Commons Mr. Russell asked the Home Secretary whether he accepted that that there was very little public support for the merger plans in the counties affected. He went on to say,
"What is more important-holding the line on a wrong decision made by his predecessor, or getting it right? Here is an opportunity to be a hero, rather than a villain."
Brooks questioned whether the Home Secretary would revise his plans for a merger in light of public opinion, saying, "I would like to know from the Home Secretary whether he will do what his predecessor agreed to do, which was to listen to the people of Essex."
Dr. Reid replied, "Of course I will listen to the people of Essex, and to people throughout the country, along with their various representatives. That is what I have undertaken to do, as my predecessor did. He asked for people's views on these matters, and we shall consider them carefully.
However, we try to get the best overall capability that is possible. I think that the strategic direction that has already been set out is probably the right one in which to move and will lead to the right conclusions at which to arrive."
In December last year Brooks joined a cross-party group of Essex MPs to confirm their support for the preservation of Essex Constabulary.
The 12 MPs signed a pledge to resist the merger of Essex Police under plans which will see the creation of larger regional forces. The pledge supports the Police's own preference for 'option 4' of the consultation exercise, which would preserve an independent strategic police force for Essex.
Brooks said: "There is overwhelming support throughout Essex for retaining the Essex Police as a single force. I will vigorously oppose the merger of the Essex Police into a regional force. I believe that a police force should reflect the community it serves - and this is best achieved on a county-wide basis."
