PCC- A Criminal Waste of Time and Money

The British government recently held its first elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). Those elected to the post have influence over regional police, their staff and priorities. Election turnout for these elections tended to range from 10-20%. It seems unsurprising to me that turnout was so low. But curiously, whilst many in the media similarly predicted this, they largely felt it was due to disillusionment with the political elite and main parties. This may explain part of it, but I feel it was for even more basic reasons than that: 1) lack of awareness and 2) lack of interest. 1) Lack of Awareness: I am widely considered a politically-aware individual amongst my peers, yet I was unaware of when they were being held. So others were also likely to have been unaware of the election date, and probably that the elections were being held at all. 2) Lack of Interest: This is the biggest issue in my book. Vague descriptions were given to the role, and surely there is no need for even more bureaucracy and politicians than there already are. There are already local borough or county councils, parliamentary representatives, assembly members and European parliamentary representatives- surely these elected representatives could spend some time reviewing police work, without electing more politicians. And if this role is felt to be necessary, then why should we stop at elected commissioners for police? Doesn't that then justify commissioners for education, health, transport, the environment... where does it end? All the PCC elections have done is expand an already excessive political elite, feathering the nests of more politicians at a time of cutbacks, to do a job other institutions should already be doing. Moreover, whilst on the surface, more democracy may appear to be better, but in fact too many elections induce voter fatigue- public irritation with too many elections, reducing turnout. It is also expensive, and often represents the interests of a minority of interested voters, with most other voters either disinterested or disillusioned. Also, just because a candidate is most popular with voters doesn't mean they are necessarily most capable of the job. That is not to criticise democracy generally: it is crucial for legitimate, representative government- but to try and elect too many positions usually results in a waste of time and money.