Police and Crime Commissioner Election 2012
Police and Crime Commissioner Election for the Durham Police Area - Thursday 12 November 2012
The Declaration of Result of Poll was made by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), who was based in Durham.
Ron Hogg was duly elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for the Durham Police Area (which includes the Darlington area).
The Certificate of Result contains the results of the Election for the Durham Police Area.
The number of votes case in the Darlington area is detailed below.
| Number of verified ballot papers | 11,186 |
| Number of rejected ballot papers | 225 |
| Number of valid first preference papers | 11,411 |
On Thursday 12 November 2012 voters across the Borough went to the polls to elect the first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Durham Police area, which includes Darlington.
The PCC oversees the running of local police services and holds the Chief Constable to account on behalf of local people. The role involves:
- Securing an efficient and effective police service within their area;
- Setting the local budget, and raising the local policing precept from Council Tax;
- Deciding what the key priorities should be for the police in their area, and publishing a Police and Crime Plan that reflects this;
- The appointment, suspension and dismissal of the Chief Constable;
- Publishing an Annual Report.
PCC's may stand for a political party, however, they are expected to represent all the people in their area impartially and are required to swear an 'Oath of Impartiality' before taking office.
The election was co-ordinated across County Durham by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), who is based at Durham County Council website, however local arrangements for Darlington were delegated to the local Election Team.