6 Conclusion
66. Police and Crime Commissioners could give the
public more opportunities to influence the way in which their
local area is policed, but this is not inevitable. It will depend
on the job definition set by Government and on the individuals
who take up those roles—indeed the result may be widely
different from police force to police force and from region to
region. It follows that the way the role is established will
be important and there are some important details that need filling
out. There are also several aspects of the proposals that need
further attention. In particular, we cite the clarification of
operational independence and operational responsibility and the
role and powers of Police and Crime Panels as matters upon which
action is needed.
67. The Government must also make provision for the
transitional arrangements that will apply if Police and Crime
Commissioners take over from Police Authorities. This point was
mentioned by several witnesses. Northumbria Police Authority raised
a concern that "there will be a void and lack of accountability
and impact on the appointment of [a] PCC for the first year, as
a budget and plan will already have been agreed for 2012".[123]
West Yorkshire Police Authority stated: "To ease the transition
period we suggest that the Police and Crime Panels should contain
current police authority members".[124]
The Association of Police Authorities stated: "We are concerned
that police authorities risk losing experienced staff at a local
and national level leading up to the proposed changes in 2012."
It recommended that "the Home Office make a statement of
intent in relation to protection of existing staff in the transition
process".[125]
We agree that a statement of intent in this context would help
to ensure some continuity.
68. When considering how best to make the police
accountable to the communities they serve, it is important not
to lose sight of the fact that their primary aim, as set out in
Sir Robert Peel's principles of policing, is to prevent crime
and disorder. Police and Crime Commissioners will be judged by
their contribution to this aim, as well as by whether they have
enhanced accountability and public engagement in policing. It
is therefore vital that the Government's proposed new structure
for engagement and accountability enhances the relationships between
the many different organisations involved in promoting law and
order: not only the police, but also, in their varying roles,
local authorities, the health service, the prison and probation
services and the courts, as well as a significant range of non-governmental
or voluntary and community organisations and—in terms of
early intervention—schools and the Youth Service. Above
all Police and Crime Commissioners will be judged on whether they
succeed in bringing the police closer to the public they serve.
123 Ev w48 Back
124
Ev w45 Back
125
Ev 45 Back
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