May 2016 | UK Elections Portal

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (2012)

41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were elected across England and Wales on the 15th November 2012. When PCCs took office on the 22nd November 2012 they became responsible for a combined police force area budget of £8 billion.

ARTICLE: Read the article on PCC’s by Angus Anderson ‘You have the right to remain silent… but this time you should vote’

The role of the PCCs is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. They are responsible for the totality of policing.

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their force area.

PCCs have been elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible, and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:

• secure an efficient and effective police for their area;
• appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary dismiss them;
• set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
• set the force budget and determine the precept;
• contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; and
• bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up.

Information provided by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.