Sussex Police And Crime Commissioner Signs Declaration Of Office For Fourth Term

Having been re-elected in May as Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Katy Bourne OBE has formally signed the ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office’.

The signing included an oath of impartiality to mark the start of her fourth term in office, promising to serve the people of Sussex and to act with integrity and diligence.

It took place in Lewes in the presence of Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Lucinda Fraser DL and the High Sheriff of West Sussex Philippa Gogarty.

The oath outlines how a Police & Crime Commissioner will work to cut crime, giving a voice to the public whilst working with partner agencies to ensure the safety of the community and effective criminal justice.

Katy Bourne was elected as Sussex’s first Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012 and is the longest serving female PCC and one of only two PCCs to remain in office for a fourth term. PCC Bourne has driven the biggest rise in police officer numbers in over a decade with Sussex Police now having a head count of 3,245 police officers.

Throughout the past 10 years, the Sussex PCC’s office has allocated over £28.5m to support over 50,000 victims of crime and secured funding to establish and enhance enforcement units, roads policing technology as well as dedicated rural crime and business crime teams. Investment in call handling systems technology and training has led to Sussex Police becoming one of the top performing forces in England and Wales for answering 999 and 101 non-emergency calls.

In her fourth term, PCC Bourne has said her plan to cut crime includes: continuing to tackle drug gangs, county lines and serious violence; make policing more visible; put further investment into roads policing; improve police response to shoplifting; further support for Sussex’s Rural Crime Team and continue to support victims of crime, with a particular focus on the elderly, young and vulnerable.

Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:

“As I said when I was re-elected in May, I am humbled to have received the public’s support and to have the opportunity to serve another four-year term as Sussex’s PCC. Signing the Declaration of Office today, in the company of Chief Constable Shiner and the High Sheriffs of Sussex, was an honour for me and I remain as committed as ever to give the public a strong voice in policing.  

“Sussex is my home, it is where I grew up and where I have raised my own family – it means a lot to me to keep it safe. No one knows our county better than the people who live and work here, which is why, in the coming months, I will be asking the public for their views about policing in Sussex and what matters to them most in terms of safety. What residents have to say is important and it helps me to hold Sussex Police to account when scrutinising their performance.”