Young people to have a say in policing

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg says young people will have a major input into the future vision for policing in Devon and Cornwall.

Mr Hogg turned over his office to a group of nine community police cadets as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Day and said he was constantly impressed by their willingness to get involved in the policing family.

The group was made up of community cadets from across Devon and Cornwall and though they were hosted by the OPCC engagement team they also spent time visiting the various operational units at Middlemoor.

Mr Hogg was keen to listen to their views on policing and crime in their communities before being given the chance to grill him. Questions asked included the police attitude to ethnic minorities and what where Mr Hogg’s plan for the future.

But a recurring scheme was the effects of drugs and particularly alcohol on young people. “It is great to have young people in the office today,” said Mr Hogg.

“It is essential that we listen to their views. I’m bringing young people into our commissioning and I try to relate to them in all I do. I think it is essential that we bring them into the work we are trying to do as a team.”

After leaving the Royal Navy Mr Hogg worked with young people and pays great store by their influence. “Young people want to be taken seriously and listened to and when you do that what they say can be very influential,” he said.

“I feel modest in their company and I am constantly impressed by their knowledge of what we are trying to do here.”