IN THE NEWS: Gary Mason reviews the past week’s national and local police news in the media.

NEWS: In an unusual foray into operational policing the PCC of Dyfed Powys is asking residents to take part in a survey on whether they think officers should be routinely armed on duty.

NEWS: Two police and crime commissioners say they have been forced to make substantial cuts to the number of PCSOs employed by their forces in an attempt to balance the books.

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Alatti talks to Christopher Salmon, PCC of the largest and most sparsely populated police force area in England and Wales, about the future of PCCs after the General Election and his priorities and achievements locally.

General Election: Does the General Election offer a genuine choice for policing in England and Wales? Tim Brain QPM examines the Coalition's record in government and the main parties' manifestos.

Exclusive: Kevin Hurley, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey talks to Royston Martis about the performance of PCCs, the future of PCCs and how the upcoming General Election could affect police governance.

NEWS: Preventing police officers from resigning ahead of disciplinary arrangements stops forces recruiting new officers or covering a suspended officer’s workload, a Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Analysis: Barry Loveday, Reader in Criminal Justice Administration at Portsmouth University, examines police management and workforce reform under the Coalition including the creation of PCCs, the Winsor Report and increased outsourcing and collaboration