After failing to win the inaugural crime commissioner election in 2012, the Conservatives are hoping for better things next year.

But who will get the nomination to be the party's candidate?

Here are three in the running - and how a fourth candidate dropped out at the last minute:

Jo Gideon, from Thanet:

A businesswoman and mother of three, Jo Gideon has lived in Kent since 2002 and until May had been a Thanet councillor for 12 years, representing Cliffsend and Pegwell. She is a former head of enterprise at Canterbury Christ Church University. She runs a consultancy called "The Knowledge Hive".

Matthew Scott, from Swanley, north Kent:

An office manager to a government whip and was a councillor in the London borough of Bexley between 2006 and 2010. He contested the safe Labour seat of Leyton and Wansted in the general election and is a member of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

Richard Bunting, from Ashford:

A management consultant who has worked for a number of banking institutions for more than 20 years. He stood as a candidate in the Ashford council election in May and contested the Kent County Council election in 2013, in the Ashford East division held by the Liberal Democrats. He was the vice-chairman of the board of governors of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. He is married with two young children.

WHAT is interesting about this shortlist is that all three have relatively limited direct experience of policing.

Richard Bunting makes a virtue of this by saying he would bring a fresh pair of eyes to the role and is experienced in leading what is called "change management" in large organisations and would "tackle inefficiency and cut waste and lead a technological revolution in policing."

Matthew Scott notes that he has "grown up in a family with serving Police Officers and therefore have an in depth understanding of the police force and the challenges that serving Officers experience on a day to day basis." He has vowed to freeze the police council tax - but the pledge comes with a heavy qualification as he adds "unless a rise is necessary."

Jo Gideon, meanwhile notes on her website that her experience running her own business and serving as a councillor presents the right mix of skills for the role and underlines her understanding of how to deal with local issues affecting communities. She also says the police service needs radical reform in the face of continuing budget pressures.

The one candidate who arguably could have made much of their direct experience is Gavin McKinnon. He works as the force's head of community engagement - formerly the head of corporate communications - and has several years experience as a serving officer in the RUC has been a Kent special constable for four years.

He was shortlisted for selection but dropped out of the race unexpectedly last week.