How will the Police & Crime Commissioner be Appointed?
On the 15th September 2011, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act received Royal Ascent. This means that as of November 2012, Police Authorities, in their current form, will be abolished and the local public will have the opportunity to elect a Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for their Force area.
People will go to the polls on 15th November 2012 to vote for a Police & Crime Commissioner for the Cleveland area, covering Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar & Cleveland.
In respect of changes to police accountability and governance, the Act will:
- Replace Police Authorities with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) for all force areas;
- Establish a Police and Crime Panels to hold the Commissioner to account;
- Create new national policing agencies, replacing the National Police Improvement Agency and the Serious Organised Crime Agency;
- Make changes to the operation of Community Safety Partnerships and the way in which they are funded.
What will be the Role of a Police & Crime Commissioner?
The Police & Crime Commissioner will have the following key roles:
- To represent and obtain the views of communities;
- Set priorities for the Force and prepare the a Police & Crime Plan;
- Hold the Chief Constable to account;
- Set the Force budget and the council tax precept (the police element of council tax);
- Appoint and (if necessary) dismiss the Chief Constable;
- Publish an annual report stating how priorities and targets have been met, and other information as specified by the Secretary of State to enable greater public awareness of police and crime performance in the area;
- Consider collaboration to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services;
- Ensure Value for Money is achieved;
- Ensure that the Chief Constable fulfils their duties relating to equality, diversity and safeguarding children.
How will Elections be Carried Out?
The first elections will be held on 15th November 2012 with service commencement from 22nd November 2012. The appointed Commissioner will be elected for a four year term.
Everyone registered to vote in the police force area will be able to vote, including British, EU and Commonwealth citizens living in the UK.
More detailed information can be found on the Home Office website: Voting and Candidate Requirements.
What will be the Role of the Police & Crime Panel (PCP)?
The Police & Crime Panel (PCP) will have power to scrutinise PCC activities, including the ability to review the Police & Crime Plan and Annual Report, veto decisions, request PCC papers and call PCCs and Chief Constables to public hearings.
The panel can also seek a professional view from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) regarding potential dismissals, and will agree on a lead authority to hold central funding and provide scrutiny support.
Local Authorities will be invited to nominate Councillor Members for appointment to the PCP, and there is a provision to appoint up to two Independent Members. The Political make-up of the Members of Panel should reflect the political make-up of the county councils.
The Panel will have the following powers and responsibilities:
- Review the draft Police & Crime Plan;
- Publicly scrutinise the PCC’s Annual Report;
- Review and scrutinise decisions and actions of the PCC;
- Review and veto the PCC’s proposed precept levels.
What Exactly is a Police & Crime Plan?
Home Office guidance states the following about the content of the annual Police & Crime Plan to be produced by the Police & Crime Commisioner for their Force area:
"The PCC will need a document that sets out clearly the priorities for local policing for the whole force area, their term of office and how they are going to be addressed. Essentially it must set out the PCC's objectives for policing and reducing crime and disorder in the area, how policing resources will be allocated and agreements for funding and reporting on the work.
In developing the plan the PCC must consult the chief constable, who acts as their principle adviser on policing matters. They must also obtain views on the plan from local people and the victims of crime in that area.
The PCC's role is to ensure that the plan includes and addresses the views on local policing of the electorate; it will be a public document and a key mechanism for the PCC to hold the chief constable to account."
What Happens until the Introduction of the Police & Crime Commissioner?
Police Authorities will continue to operate up to midnight on the 21st November 2012 (six days after the election of the Police & Crime Commissioner) to ensure that there is a governance body in place until the Commissioner takes up office on the 22nd November 2012.
To assist with this process nationally, the Home Office has established a Transition Board which is chaired by the Policing Minister. This Board is supported by twelve projects which are focused on:
- Elections
- Police Authority Support and Challenge
- Protocol
- Strategic Policing Requirements
- Collaboration
- Transfer Schemes
- PCC Capability Building and Induction
- Checks and Balances
- Handling of Complaints
- London
(where the powers of the PCC will go to the elected Mayor in London. This commences in January 2012) - Wales
(reflects the Welsh devolution settlement and the specific powers of the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Ministers) - Relationships with the Criminal Justice System and other partners
Transition Process: From Cleveland Police Authority to the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner
To ensure that the Cleveland transition process is as smooth and seamless as possible, a PCC Programme Board is being established to take account of national developments and deliver the necessary changes locally. This will include Senior Members and Officers of the Police Authority, Senior Executive Officers from Cleveland Police and representation of the four unitary Local Councils in Cleveland.
The Transition Board will develop a work programme which is focused on three distinct periods:
- The period leading up to the election on 15 November 2012,
- The formal seven day transition period following the election (until 22 November 2012), and
- The period following the taking up of office by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Have You Got What it Takes to Be a Police & Crime Commissioner?
The Home Office have produced an Information booklet: Have You Got What It Takes? for anyone wanting to know more about what it means to be a Police & Crime Commissioner.
Click here to find out further information in relation to Police & Crime Commissioners, produced by the Home Office.
This page will be updated further as and when more detail becomes available.