Below is the candidate profile for Michael Riley, the Reform UK Party candidate for the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.
This profile has been added to our Candidate Profiles page on our 2021 election hub – click here to see more candidate profiles.
Answers to the questions aren’t edited, other than for formating, and are therefore the candidates own words.
In your own words tell our readers about yourself
As both an ex-military and Senior Operational Prison Governor, I understand the intricate roles of both the Police/Fire services, to deliver their, and our wider public responsibilities. Working in various prisons and our communities, means constantly dealing with multi-agency protection teams, which can include Police/Fire personnel, when reintegrating offenders back into the community. I have also managed contracts on behalf of the Secretary of State in prisons, holding both public/private sector managers to account in their delivery, using identified audits to ensure efficient, effective strategies are delivered on behalf of the taxpayer.
What’s your personal statement about why you’re standing and what you want to achieve over the term if elected?
Citizens have a right to say how their Police/Fire services are delivered, I would conduct a county wide survey, we are all the victims of crime, whether directly, or indirectly. I would also conduct separate surveys of our Police/Fire personnel and using all the information available, link the results into our crime/Fire plans to give us our local strategy for change. Managers will proactively use resources to deliver impartial Police operational duties to the public in Staffordshire, stopping two-tier Policing, having an equal approach, when dealing with all people. Introducing neighbourhood diplomats, we will build trust and confidence, tackling minor offences and anti-social behaviour on a zero-tolerance basis, helping to deter criminality and prevent more serious crimes taking place! We need to develop, in consultation with other agencies, a program of delivery in schools, which shows young people what the consequences of criminality can be under the Children and young persons act 1963, and that their responsibility in the eyes of the law starts at aged 10!
How does standing as a political party candidate affect serving local people on local issues?
I am not standing as a political candidate, the role of the PFCC is Impartial and is there to benefit the whole community.
What’s been your history as a political councillor?
I have no history as a political councillor.
Apart from family commitments what other commitments do you have on your time? This could be work, business, voluntary or community roles – if these are linked to organisations in Stone then please mention it.
As a retired senior Prison Governor, there were many links into the local community with Prisoner rehabilitation, working with charities, and the community to reintegrate people and to help them move on from a life of crime. What is important to know is, a lot of crime is secondary to the real cause of the problem and that needs addressing in society.
What are the top 5 issues that you think affect the residents of Stone currently have?
I think the population of stone need to get involved in a county survey, so I can understand what their top 5 issues are and we then add them into our Staffordshire Police/Fire plans. There is no point in second guessing what the people of Stone feel, but by listening, positive action can be taken!
Explain in your own words what the role of the PFCC is and why it’s important.
The role of any PFCC is impartiality, but they need to listen to the whole of the community of Staffordshire to properly assess how Police/Fire plans will be taken forward as a strategy over the next 3 years. They will then fund the operational delivery of those services through the Chief Constable and Chief Fire officers of Staffordshire.
9 comments
Ann alldrick
Hi michael been trying to renew by membership . Could you please help me. Hope you are well. Yours sincerely ann alldrick. O7597461918.
Ann allrick
Hi Michael would like to get l ticket for April 15 6pm at stafford rangers. Can not do it on the phone e mail.y ours sincerely ann alldrick 7 yew tree close derrington st18 9nd
Ann alldrick
Hi michael could you ring me please. 07597461918 paul gerbert phone number . Want to get ticket. Yours sincerely ann
Judy Hayes
Did you attend GMI as an Overseas student?
Samantha Bradley
Good Evening Michael, I’m looking into who to vote for next week. I hear time and time again about people in the police who are very pro hunting and all the persecution of wildlife that goes with it. I am asking all elected what their opinion is on illegal fox hunting and wildlife crimes. I don’t want to vote for anyone who helps this cruel sport to continue.
Michael Riley
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your message.
In relation to your concern the ROCU Regional offender crime unit is the key to dealing with county lines criminality, who should be liaising with all police services to deal with what is happening in your area. In terms of 101, I think it needs looking at as it lets the public down time and time again, which the current incumbent has failed to do, so I will look at it, if I am voted into office by the public. Of course those who answer the phones should know where your location is and sounds like a training issue, which you should contact someone from the police about, but again, if I am voted into office, I can raise these things personally.
Kind regards
Michael
Christine Allen
How will you service the people of Kinver? We are a long way away from you and a forgotten part of south staffs on the Worcestershire, Shropshire, West Midlands boarder. Our area is being infiltrated by criminals from the West Midlands – Dudley and Birmingham. How will you protect us with Kinver Police station closed and police numbers nearby reduced? We dial 999 to report a crime, they don’t know where Stourton or Kinver is and when they work out where we live they say we need to speak to Staffs police. In the mean time the criminal is getting away and the moment lost. – An actual fact that happened a couple of weeks ago. The last but one criminal was actually hit with a broom and the criminal caught by a very brave home owner and the police. We have the same problem with dialling 101.
On the fire brigade side, can you ensure the Kinver Fire station will remain open? I very important part of the village as it is used by the public too and covers a fast area in rural south staffs and neighbouring counties.
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Michael Riley
Hi Christine,
In relation to Kinver Fire station, I am not aware of any plans to close it down. Without being in office and viewing the whole strategic plan for our county, it’s difficult to answer your question, but as a candidate I don’t have any plans personally to close Kinver Fire station.
In relation to how resources are currently used, they are managed by the current PFCC and Chief Fire officer, have you raised this question with them?
Michael Riley
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your message.
In relation to your concern the ROCU Regional offender crime unit is the key to dealing with county lines criminality, who should be liaising with all police services to deal with what is happening in your area. In terms of 101, I think it needs looking at as it lets the public down time and time again, which the current incumbent has failed to do, so I will look at it, if I am voted into office by the public. Of course those who answer the phones should know where your location is and sounds like a training issue, which you should contact someone from the police about, but again, if I am voted into office, I can raise these things personally.
Kind regards
Michael