Alan Charles was the Labour Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner from 2012 to 2016. He was the first person to hold the post, having been elected on 15 November 2012.^[1] In July 2015, Charles announced that he would not be seeking re-election to the position because he "wanted to spend more time with his family".^[2]

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Charles was born on 20 January 1950 in Hayes, Middlesex. He attended Southall Grammar School which he left in 1966 before going on to Uxbridge College where he trained to become an electrician. He completed his training in 1970.

Charles served his apprenticeship as an electrician at a London mental hospital, before starting a workers' co-operative in the energy management industry. In 1993, he left this position in order to serve as Derbyshire County Councillor for Killamarsh. In 1999, he was appointed as Chair of the Education Committee, a position which he held until 2009.^[3] He was then appointed to the Derbyshire Police Authority and became Vice-Chair.

In 2012, Charles stood in the elections for Police and Crime Commissioner, which replaced the Police Authority.

He took a position against "G4S-type privatisation" of police support services during the campaign, wearing a wristband with the words "Keep Policing Public". He promised to "protect vulnerable people" and victims of crime, focussing on domestic abuse. He also pledged to fight against cuts to the Derbyshire policing budget beyond a pre-announced 20%. Other pledges included improving road safety, protecting community policing and tackling cruelty to animals.^[1][4]

Charles' candidacy for the Labour Party was endorsed by former Home Secretary David Blunkett.^[5]

Charles moved to Killamarsh, Derbyshire in 1973 where he has lived since. He is married to Diane, with whom he has two children, Katy and Sarah, and four grandchildren, Ethan, Charlie, Billy and Bella.^[3]