Kevin Hurley, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, has appointed two Assistant Commissioners to assist him in his work.
The Assistant Commissioners will be paid a salary of £12,500 per year and will be expected to work 1.5 days per week.
The Assistant Commissioners are:
Shiraz Mirza – Assistant Commissioner for Equality and Diversity, working to build links with minority and hard-to-reach groups across Surrey, making sure they receive a good service from Surrey Police and the criminal justice system and encourage these groups to engage with the police.
Shiraz has a long and varied history of community engagement work with people from many different walks of life, cultures and religions. His interest in community work began after a period of paralysis, brought about through a neurological virus, which prematurely ended his career in the defence industry. It was during his period of rehabilitation that Shiraz began to foster new links with his local community. In recent years, Shiraz has forged formal ties with a considerable breadth of local organisations such as the Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice, ROYAD (a charity that supports young people with learning disabilities) and a local Carers Network. He is a Governor of Kingston College, a Patron of Hillcroft the residential College for women, and is committed to improving equality & grassroots participation, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and, should they wish, to progress. Shiraz has opened two successful community halls which host a range of social, business and training activities to encourage community cohesion.
Since 1998, Shiraz has served as a Councillor for the Royal Borough of Kingston, representing the Chessington South Ward. In 2000, he became Mayor, the first Asian to hold this position. Shiraz went on to become mayor again in 2007 and deputy mayor 2009.
Commenting on Shiraz’ appointment, Kevin Hurley said:
“Shiraz Mirza embodies all of the qualities the public look for in a community leader – honest, hard-working, approachable -he is a man of genuine care for the wellbeing of others with a gift for communicating with people. I have brought him into the team to help the Office of PCC reach out to communities that have previously been less engaged with policing.
“The PCC is here to represent everyone in Surrey, and I intend to do everything in my power to make sure that I am in touch with all of our communities. Shiraz’ appointment is a big step towards that.”
Shiraz Mirza Said,
“I am honoured to have been offered the position of Assistant Crime and Police Commissioner (Equality and Diversity).
“During my many years of public service I have been fortunate to work alongside and support a wide and inclusive range of individuals and groups. Having been fortunate to have held many community based and charitable positions I am keen to continue to engage with all sections of our communities, especially those who are keen to work together to increase respect and the values of equality and human rights.
“I look forward to working alongside you all to continue to improve our important work.”
Jane Anderson – Assistant Commissioner for Victims, working to ensure that victims and witnesses are at the heart of Surrey’s Criminal Justice System – a key priority for the public.
Jane’s career has spanned a great variety of posts and organisations. Key threads have been organisational change and reform, public protection, and ethics and standards. She also understands the value of voluntary work, having worked as a volunteer in church and sport.
After a spell with the British Council and twelve years with the BBC, Jane spent most of her career as a senior Civil Servant at the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and other Whitehall Departments advising Government Ministers and developing workable policies to implement government objectives. She has worked on a variety of matters including: the management and release of prisoners; police funding and accountability; and policy, legislation and organisation in the National Offender Management Service. Until November 2012, Jane was a member of the former Surrey Police Authority. She also spent six years as a Council member of the Advertising Standards Authority, deciding whether advertisements were legal, honest, decent and truthful. More recently, Jane was appointed by the Surrey Criminal Justice Partnership as Victims’ Champion.
Kevin Hurley said:
“The victim should be at the heart of the criminal justice system. All too often they are not. I am determined to do something about it.
“Jane is an important addition to our team – she is an experienced, insightful and tenacious character who will be a powerful advocate for victims of crime in Surrey. I know she will drive their cause forward with energy and determination.”
Jane Anderson said:
“I want to make sure that the victim’s voice is always heard. I am pleased that both the Surrey Criminal Justice Partnership and the Police and Crime Commissioner see this as a priority. I look forward to working with them, and with all those already supporting victims, to make it a reality.”