Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC)
On the 15th of November 2012, the public of North Wales will go to the polls to elect the first Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) for North Wales.
The Governments intention in introducing these reforms to police governance is to give the public a direct say in policing in their area through the ballot box.
The Role
The PCC will hold police forces and Chief Constables to account. This is a challenging but pivotal opportunity to serve the public.
PCCs will set local policing priorities and decide how your council tax is spent on crime and policing issues, including the level of Council tax that is raised for policing (the policing preecept). As well as planning policing budgets PCCs will also:
- drive community safety and overall security in the area
- work with local partnerships and national and regional criminal justice agencies and services
- build and foster relationships with the Chief Constable and community groups to achieve common goals
- contribute to national policing capabilities
Responsibilities
PCCs will be elected for four years and will be required to publish a police and crime plan. This will set out the police and crime objectives of the force area.
Chief constables will remain responsible for operational matters, however PPCs will have the authority to hire and, if necessary, dismiss the chief constable.
Scrutiny
PCCs will be scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels (PCPs), which will be formed of a minimum of 10 representatives from the local authorities in the force area. The duties of the panel include:
- requiring the PCC to respond to any concerns they have
- making recommendations on the crime plan and annual reports
- confirming or vetoing the PCC's appointment of chief constable and the level of local tax (the precept level)
Who can stand for election?
Candidates must:
- be a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen
- be 18 years of age or over
- be resident in the police force area
There are some restrictions on candidacy including serving police officers and police staff. Full details of the restriction are within the Police and social Responsibility Act.
How to stand for election?
The first election is scheduled for November 2012. Further details about the election process and how to stand will be posted early in the New Year.
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act Published
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011