Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC)
On 15 November 2012, for the first time, the public across England and Wales will elect 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) who will be responsible and accountable for the strategic direction of policing in their police force area.
Their role
Many of the duties that a PCCs will undertake replicate those currently carried out by the Police Authority, which will be abolished.
The PCC will set the strategic direction for policing in a Police and Crime Plan, and will assume responsibility for setting the policing budget and precept, ensuring value for money.
In support of the delivery of an efficient and effective police service, the PCC will hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of local communities. He or she will also be responsible for the appointment, and if necessary, the dismissal of the Chief Constable.
These responsibilities are currently undertaken by the Police Authority, but the PCC’s role will extend further than this, to include engaging with partners to provide an efficient and effective criminal justice system, and to reduce crime, disorder and reoffending.
The PCC will be responsible for allocating a community safety grant to any individual, project or person locally and can commission community safety services as he/she deems necessary. These additional roles mean the PCC will be involved and influential in both community safety and criminal justice matters.
A “Policing Protocol” will ensure that the PCC is responsible for the strategic direction of policing and does not seek to interfere in operational policing matters which remain the responsibility of the Chief Constable.
The PCC will be held to account on an ongoing basis by a local Police and Crime Panel made up of councillors and independent members.
Transition Board
The Home Office has established a PCC Transition Programme, overseen by Policing Minister Nick Herbert, to support a coherent and seamless transition. This programme covers a range of issues involved in establishing PCCs, from operating principles to establishing local elections. A local transition board is also in place.
Further information
For more information about the PCC, see the West Midlands Police Authority website at http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/crimecommissioner.asp or contact the Police Authority for a briefing.
Alternatively, information about what it means to be a PCC is in an information booklet which explains key information about the role and who is eligible.
More detailed information on PCC powers and responsibilities is also available.
For more background information on the work of PCCs click here (Home Office website).
You can keep up to date with the latest news and find out what opportunities are available for partners to get involved locally by downloading the police and crime commissioners update bulletin.