Jo Coles, New Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime will represent all communities of York and North Yorkshire
Jo’s first day in office was Monday 8 July 2024 where she spent time talking to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour and finding out about the services commissioned by the Office for Policing, Fire and Crime to support victims. She also heard about services to reduce offending and re-offending.
Today’s reading of the Ethical Declaration and Oath of Impartiality was held at the North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service joint headquarters in Northallerton where Jo publicly read out her ethical declaration, vowing to represent all communities of York and North Yorkshire.
Jo Coles was joined by North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson. The event was also witnessed by local press and officers and staff from both police and fire services along with members from the Office for Policing, Fire, Crime, and commissioning.
Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
“It is a huge honour to be nominated for this role and delighted to be supporting Mayor David Skaith in keeping our communities in York and North Yorkshire safe.
I will be working closely with Mayor David Skaith and other partners across the region and beyond to ensure that York and North Yorkshire is a region where residents, visitors and businesses feel safe.
North Yorkshire is a beautiful place to live and work – I was born and grew up here as well as living here now with my family. Like many people I’ve been a victim of crime, thankfully relatively minor ones, as a Councillor I’ve also supported residents who have been victims of much more serious offences. By putting victims at the heart of our work I want to ensure we make our communities safer for everyone.
It’s also vital that the public’s voice and concerns are heard. Working with political colleagues from all parties, I will ensure I hold police and fire services to account and put in place the services we need to prevent crime, keep communities safe and support victims.”
York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith who was meeting with the Prime Minister and unable to attend the event said:
“Jo’s expertise and experience in political roles and working with police and crime commissioners made her a strong choice for this role.
“I’m delighted to see Jo in post and working towards our shared mission of healthy and thriving communities, where people across our urban, rural and coastal areas are kept safe and feel safe.
“Jo’s confidence and passion and ability to shape the role will build on the great work of the previous Commissioner.
“I know Jo will work well in partnership, local and nationally, to tackle challenges and drive change.”
Jo has a full diary for the forthcoming weeks but will be at the Great Yorkshire Show, on stand 328 next to Gold gate, on the policing, fire and road safety stand from 10:00 until 12:00 on Friday 12 July.
On Thursday 18 July, Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing Fire and Crime will host her first online public meeting where North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable will be held to account on behalf of the public. The meeting will focus on Hidden Crime. Questions relating to serious and organised crime are encouraged, but questions for any area of the police service are welcome and should be submitted using the online form on our website: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/YourVoice/
Jo Coles was joined by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dysonand North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber.
Ethical Declaration and Oath of Impartiality By the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire & Crime To Serve All the People of York and North Yorkshire
In common with the conventions adopted by those serving across England & Wales in the roles of Police and Crime Commissioner and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, I make this ethical declaration.
I will serve all the people of North Yorkshire and the City of York in the Policing, Fire and Crime duties delegated to me by the Mayor and in accordance with the law.
I will act with integrity and diligence in my role and, to the best of my ability, will perform my duties to ensure that North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service do all they can to protect the public and keep them safe.
I will give a voice to the public, especially victims of crime, and work in partnership across the broadest possible range of sectors to ensure the safety of our communities and effective criminal justice.
I will not interfere with the operational independence of police officers, nor seek to influence or prevent any lawful and reasonable intervention, rescue, investigation or arrest, nor encourage any action save that which is lawful and justified within the bounds of my role.
I will abide by the seven standards that make up the ethical framework of public office, and I will take all steps within my power to ensure transparency of my decisions and all areas of my work, so that I may be properly held to account as part of the Mayor’s team, by the public.
The ethical standards expected of those who hold public office are summed up in seven principles, known as the ‘Nolan principles’, to which I commit. They are as follows:
- Selflessness
Holders of public office should act only in the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. - Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligations to any individuals or organisations that might want to influence how they perform their official duties. - Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should decide on merit only. - Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must cooperate with all appropriate scrutiny. - Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take. They should explain all decisions and withhold information only where it is clearly in the wider public interest. - Honesty
Holders of public office must declare any private interests relating to their public duties and resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest. - Leadership
Holders of public office should demonstrate these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
I also declare to the public of York and North Yorkshire, my commitment to the Code of Ethics for police personnel and the Core Code of Ethics for fire personnel. I will undertake my role with due regard for those frameworks and by doing so, will set out to exemplify the standards of professional behaviour expected of those held to account by me in the performance of my role.
Dated this 9th day of July 2024
Jo-Anna Catherine Coles
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire & Crime
Witnessed by
Simon Dennis
Corporate Director and Deputy Monitoring Officer for Mayoral Policing, Fire and Crime Functions
Countersigned by
David Skaith
Mayor of York & North Yorkshire