Labour has chosen its candidate to fight the next Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election. Gary Godden, who served 15 years for Nottinghamshire Police, will be the party's candidate for the role when voting takes place on May 2 next year.
Caroline Henry, the current Conservative PCC, says she expects to be formally re-adopted as her party's candidate over the summer. The role of Nottinghamshire PCC was created in 2012 and was held by former Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping until 2021, with Mr Tipping now standing to be Labour's East Midlands Mayor candidate.
PCC Henry unseated Mr Tipping and has been serving since 2021, though she will have only served a three-year term come the next election. PCCs usually serve for four years, but the last election was pushed back due to coronavirus and pushing back the upcoming one would have required a change in legislation.
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It means three elections could be taking place across Nottinghamshire next year, with the PCC and East Midlands Mayor elections both currently due to take place in May and a General Election also expected at some stage in 2024. For the PCC election, Labour has now confirmed Mr Godden will be their candidate.
Mr Godden is a former police officer and served Nottinghamshire Police for 15 years, though he currently works for NHS England. On Mr Godden's background, Labour said: "Having spent the early years of his life in Barnardo's care homes until he was adopted by his parents at the age of seven, Gary is passionate about every child having the best possible start in life.
"He has seen and experienced the difficulties that vulnerable people can face when they don't have the right guidance and support." Mr Godden said: "I'll be a strong voice for all the community, and I recognise the importance of the local Police and Crime Commissioner who will engage with the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
"I come to politics with real life experience of working in our public services for the NHS and the police service. Nottinghamshire is a diverse area and I am very proud to represent Labour as their policies and values reflect the opportunities that I've had in my life."
In terms of the Conservative Party's process, PCC Henry said: "I'm expecting to be re-adopted over the summer. It's a re-adoption process, so it is quite different to a selection process, but I've not had much chance to think about it because I've been cracking on with the job.
"I'm proud of what I have done, but there is still much more I want to do. I am the PCC, and I want to stay the PCC." PCC Henry previously resisted calls to resign after pleading guilty to five speeding offences in 2021, saying she was "committed to serving the people of Nottinghamshire."
