VOTERS go to the polls today to elect Surrey's first ever Police and Crime Commissioner.
In the biggest shake-up to policing for decades, the winning candidate will take over from the 17-strong police authority, setting budgets, developing force priorities and holding the chief constable to account. Read more about the candidates to become Surrey's first elected police and crime commissioner
The anticipated low turnout and fears of police politicisation have led to fierce criticism of the elections nationwide, and former Dorking police inspector Mike Ledwidge believes it will be difficult for the Surrey winner.
"The Government wants to offload responsibility to people they can point the finger at," he said.
"It is part of the masking of the Government's swingeing cuts.
"If the right person gets the job and the chief constable and the person get on well and they can negotiate stuff, then it will work.
"But they will find it is still a poisoned chalice because of funding. They will constantly be shoring things up, as opposed to doing things of any consequence."
Ministers say commissioners will give people a say and make decision-making transparent.
"This is more open and more accountable in that it is a more public process and I think using media will be part of what they do," Mr Ledwidge said.
"But there are dangers in that. The public may want a voice, but the public doesn't actually know enough to make particularly informed comments."
Mr Ledwidge is concerned candidates may not know enough about running public services, but he believes there are some positives to be drawn.
He said: "If someone takes on the job with an understanding of the process, or they are willing to listen to someone who can tell them, if they personally believe they are doing the right thing for the people of Surrey and they are willing to find out how to do that, it will be a positive thing."
He also believes the right candidate could help Surrey retain more of the tax it raises for its own policing, rather than funding other areas, and reverse what he sees as a trend of using Surrey as a testing ground for untried policies and senior officers.
He said: "If someone has got the bottle and they don't care about their future career in terms of party, they could make a real difference standing up to Government. That would be fabulous."
Polling stations opened at 7am today and will close at 10pm. Votes will be counted tomorrow.
Visit www.molevalleypeople.co.uk for live updates, and see next week's Advertiser for in-depth coverage.
Read more about the candidates to become Surrey's first elected police and crime commissioner