Introduction
1. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are
a central feature in the new landscape of policing, alongside
the new National Crime Agency (NCA) and the College of Policing.
The first elections for Police and Crime Commissioners were held
on 15 November 2012 and the Commissioners took office on 22 November
2012. Elections will take place every four years.
2. The role of the PCC is to ensure an efficient
and effective police force and hold the Chief Constable to account
for the delivery of the PCC's "police and crime plan",
which sets the strategic direction for each force. The Police
and Crime Commissioner is tasked with the maintenance of an effective
and efficient force in their area, while the force remains under
the direction and control of the Chief Constable. PCCs are responsible
for the appointment, suspension and dismissal of the Chief Constable
and for the police budget within their area, including setting
the local council tax precept for policing.
3. There will also be four Commissioners on the
Board of the College of Policing, where they will be expected
to represent the interests of the public, giving them a powerful
stake in police standards and training at the national level.[1]
4. The Government told us that "the post
of Police and Crime Commissioner is one that holds singular responsibility
for the delivery of policing and crime reduction within a force
area".[2] In
areas such as Greater Manchester, police and crime commissioners
will represent the interests of millions of people. With so much
power concentrated in the hands of a single individual, it is
vital that there is clear and objective scrutiny and an effective
system of checks to ensure that the role is performed to the highest
standards of integrity and competence. The Government has created
a system that relies on local scrutiny and the main check is at
the ballot box. In this Report, we show that regular, national
comparisons are important for public confidence and draw together
the first register of PCCs interests.
1 Home Affairs Committee, Leadership and standards
in the police service, 12 February 2013, HC 617-iii, Q 206
[Alex Marshall] Back
2
Home Affairs Committee, Police and Crime Commissioners: Government
Response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2010-11,
Seventh Special Report of Session 2010-12, 28 March 2011, HC 862,
para 4 Back
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