WEST DEVON residents will have the opportunity next week to elect their Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner,

Whoever is voted in from the 11 candidates for the post of PCC will be responsible for setting priorities for the Devon and Cornwall police force, overseeing its budget and hiring its chief constable.

The candidates for Devon and Cornwall are:

l Brian Blake (Liberal Democrats), a former Devon and Cornwall Police officer who retired with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector before going on to work for the Ministry of Defence worker in personnel.

l Graham Calderwood (Independent), a solicitor who has both a duty solicitor for people arrested by police and has also been involved in prosecuting cases for the Crown Prosecution Service.

l Brian Greenslade (Independent), was a former Liberal Democrat leader of Devon County Council.

He is a former chairman and a current member of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and has also served as chairman of the Association of Police Authorities.

l Tony Hogg (Conservative), a former Royal Navy officer, who served in the Falklands War and in the Gulf. A former commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

l Ivan Jordan (Independent), an architect and farmer who has lived in Devon and Cornwall for 20 years.

l Tam Macpherson (Independent), a former Royal Marine, is a Plymouth businessman who owns the Clipper Inn in Union Street, Plymouth.

l William Morris (Independent), a former farmer and head of the Next Century Foundation, which is looking for a peaceful solution in the Middle East.

l Bob Smith (UK Independence Party), a psychologist and lives outside Penzance in Cornwall, who in private practice advises the courts on aspects of child protection in family law.

l John Smith (Independent), is a former member of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and a former Liberal Democrat county councillor.

He was a member of the police authority from 2001 to 2009, serving as chairman and vice chairman.

l Nicky Williams (Labour), is the Labour ward councillor for Honicknowle ward in Plymouth.

She is a cabinet member for children and young people on Plymouth City Council and a member of its Devon and Cornwall Police and crime panel.

She is also on the board of Plymouth Community Homes, a member of the Children's Trust Board and the School's Forum.