By Louise Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
It will soon be time to find the next publicly elected official to be the Hampshire and Isle of Wight top police chief.
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Since 2021 the position has been filled by the Conservative’s Donna Jones, the former Portsmouth City Council leader, and a Hampshire magistrate.
Now the window is open for candidates to put their names forward to become Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner for the next term.
So far, two candidates have said they will be standing for the role: the incumbent Donna Jones for the Conservatives and Becky Williams for Labour, a councillor on Rushmoor Borough Council.
Other parties have yet to announce a candidate.
An election will be held on Thursday, May 2 to find the next commissioner, who will be in office until 2028.
The role is to act as the public’s voice of policing and hold the chief constable to account.
They set the budget and priorities for the police force and provide strategic oversight to ensure progress is made.
Anyone wanting to stand can get their nomination papers from the police area returning officer at the Civic Centre in Southampton.
They must be returned before 4pm on Friday, April 5.
To stand, candidates have to pay £5,000 and the money must be cleared before the nomination is continued.
The election will be on the same day as those to elect councillors to Southampton City Council.
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