Police and Crime Commissioner
On 15 November 2012, elections will be held in Cheshire to elect the first Police and Crime Commissioner.
A single Police and Crime Commissioner, or PCC, will replace the existing Police Authority in Cheshire. This individual will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the people of Cheshire.
Responsibilities
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s overall responsibility will be to maintain an effective and efficient police service.
Other duties include:
- Appoint and, if necessary, dismiss the Chief Constable;
- Set policing priorities and produce an Annual Plan;
- Set the annual police budget and council tax precept;
- Publish an annual report and accounts;
- Consult with and involve the public.
More detailed information on the responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner can be found on the Home Office website.
Police and Crime Panels
A Police and Crime Panel will be set up to scrutinise the work of the Commissioner. This will be made up of Borough Councillors and independent people from across Cheshire.
Click here for more information on Police and Crime Panels.
Why is this being introduced?
The Coalition Government wants to increase public accountability in the police service. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 sets out how this will be achieved through the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in each force area of England and Wales.
Transition to the new model
Cheshire Police Authority was opposed to the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners and an outline of the Authority’s concerns with the Coalition Government’s initial reform proposals can be found by clicking here.
However, following Parliamentary approval of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, the Authority wishes to ensure a safe and secure transition to the Police and Crime Commissioner model. The Authority has established a Transition Board to manage this change. The objectives are:
- To provide strategic oversight of the transition process, manage the various workstreams that will be required, and provide a regular forum for discussion on the transition.
- To put into place the necessary requirements to enable the transfer of all Police Authority staff and assets including all related rights and liabilities.
- To satisfy the information requirements of candidates for Police & Crime Commissioner in an open and fair manner.
- To consider the necessary processes to establish the Police and Crime Panel and support as appropriate the nominated Borough Council Chief Executive in establishing a Panel.
The Police Authority is producing a regular newsletter on progress with the transition work and this can be viewed here:
Transition Newsletter - Edition 1
Transition Newsletter - Edition 2
Transition Newsletter - Edition 3
What happens in the meantime?
The Police Authority will continue to be responsible for maintaining an efficient and effective police service and holding the Chief Constable to account until 22 November 2012. This is an important time for policing with the need to make substantial savings to meet the Coalition Government’s cuts in police budgets. The Police Authority remains committed to effectively carrying out its role until November 2012 and will continue to hold the police to account to ensure that the people of Cheshire receive good quality policing services.