AS Kent’s first crime commissioner, Ann Barnes has been in the headlines rather more than some of her counterparts. Now, as she approaches the end of her four-year term, she reflects on the highlights and lowlights and some of the personal pressures she has faced.

As Kent's first-elected crime commissioner, Ann Barnes has arguably done more to raise the profile of a role than many others elected in 2012.

To some, her track record has been decidedly mixed with her four-year term punctuated by a series of controversies that overshadowed much of the other work she has done.

But as she prepares to clear her desk at Maidstone’s police HQ, she is characteristically robust when asked if she has delivered on the promises she made in 2012.

“The people of Kent get a quality service, a better service than they have ever had. Victims and witnesses are at the heart of the police service. I have achieved all I wanted. I have kept every one of my promises I made when I stood for election. I don’t call myself a politician but I do know that you have to deliver otherwise you lose people’s trust. This is why politicians are not trusted.”

Having been opposed to the concept of elected crime commissioners, she now acknowledges police authorities had their faults.

Ann Barnes on the last four years

"They were steeped in bureaucracy, there were committees for everything and it took forever to do things and it wasn’t terribly visible to people out there. So I can see why the government wanted a different model.”

The one thing she remains consistent about is her opposition to the politicisation of police forces.

“I genuinely do think that there is no place for party politics in our wonderful police service.”

Did she come close to seeking re-election? She seems to have been in two minds.

“I always keep my options open and I think you have to look at stuff in the round. I spent 15 years on the police authority...this is an all-consuming role, it was new, very hard work to set up. I thought perhaps it was time to leave and I am leaving a force which is in a really good position.”

Despite the time-consuming nature of the role, she says she has enjoyed being commissioner.

“I have loved it. I wouldn’t say every minute of it. There have been times when it was very difficult and very hard but I have met so many fantastic people - thousands of them, actually - who do their utmost for other people not because they want a gong or any recognition. They just see a need to do something. So, yes, I have loved it.”

“I have loved it. I wouldn’t say every minute of it. There have been times when it was very difficult and very hard" - Ann Barnes

Although the government spared police forces cuts to their budgets this year, Kent Police still faces having to save £33m by 2020.

Can the police continue to be financially viable without resorting to privatisation of frontline services?

“If I was staying, it would because I would not have allowed it. It is sustainable in Kent because the finances - despite the austerity - are in really good shape and the envy of many forces.”

She is dismissive of suggestions made by the Home Secretary Theresa May that commissioners could have greater powers - including opening and running free schools for troubled youngsters.

“I think it is potty, frankly. What on earth do commissioners know about the world of education? I am a school teacher and I wouldn’t touch that at all.”

Would she endorse any of the candidates who want to replace her? She admits to having read their manifestos but plays a dead bat to the question.

“I wouldn’t dream of doing that. I wouldn’t dream of telling voters in Kent who to support. But I am worried this time that fewer independents nationally are standing and there are so few women.There is no breadth of choice there.”

She believes independent candidates face a tougher battle than those from the main parties, who are better resourced and have more activists.

“The parties have realised what a powerful role this is and have got their act together - which they hadn’t last time.”

Did the controversies surrounding her four-year term ever make her think about quitting?

“No, I am a pretty resilient character. I am a strong woman and have a supportive family and friends.”

She does, however, single out the car crash which led to a IPCC inquiry over her car insurance “as the one thing that upset me most.” For the first time, she opens up about what happened on the night.

"I couldn’t get out, there was smoke coming in and I was terrified" - Ann Barnes on her car crash

I was going along and got hit by a taxi, which bashed me into a bollard and I ended up in a tree. I couldn’t get out, there was smoke coming in and I was terrified. A chap helped me out. My sister died in a road accident and that shook me to the core. It was personally a very stressful time for me but it wasn’t the job being stressful.”

Perhaps it it the teacher in her that prompts her to offer some advice to her successor.

“Be prepared to work your socks off, it is hard work. I have never worked as hard as I have in the last few years. You don’t get much of a family life. It is a hard job.”

She says they should “listen carefully to what local people are saying they want rather than making knee-jerk decisions to those that shout the loudest.”

“Put the people of Kent first. You shouldn’t think of Westminster, your party or yourself.”

Given the adverse publicity she has faced, it is surprising to hear she does not rule out the prospect of returning to some kind of public office, perhaps as a councillor.

“I don’t rule anything out and don’t rule anything in but it is very, very hard for independents. You don’t know. Someone asked me what I planned to do and I said I might go on “Masterchef”. She told me I couldn’t cook, which is true but I could learn.”

In the short term, she is planning a holiday with her family to Northumbria - “I personally would prefer to go to the West Indies” - and then tackling her garden.

After that, who knows?

You suspect that despite everything, there could come a time when she tires of retirement and wants to roll up her sleeves and get back into some kind of public office.