Building Safer Communities through Stronger Partnerships Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) DCC Debbie Simpson 12 September 2012

The road to PCC transition Formation of Coalition Government – 2010 Policing in the 21 st Century – 2010 Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC) came into being in London – January 2012 Elections scheduled for 15 November 2012 Cessation of remaining police authorities and handover to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) on 22 November 2012

Key areas of the Act Creates the office of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) with its own legal personality. Introduces the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) and Police and Crime Plans Introduces Police and Crime Panels (PCP) Makes other key provisions including: –Policing Protocol on operational independence –Guidance on collaboration –Transfer of property, rights and liabilities

What will be different? Directly elected individual – not 17 Members New style of governance – not Committees New layer of accountability – the PCP New broader role in community safety and criminal justice Flexibility to direct funding to local priorities Visible and accountable to the communities they serve

PCC roles and responsibilities The PCC within each force area has a statutory duty and electoral mandate to hold the police to account on behalf of the public. The PCC has the legal power and duty to: –Set the strategic direction and objectives of the Force –Decide the budget and set the precept –Enter into collaboration agreements –Make grants to organisations aside from the police (including but not limited to Community Safety Partnerships) –Appoint the Chief Constable and hold them to account for the performance of the force and its staff

PCC roles and responsibilities The PCC has wider responsibilities than those relating solely to the police force, including: –Responsibility for the delivery of community safety and crime reduction –Ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at force level –Ability to make crime and disorder reduction grants (but no additional funding) –A duty to ensure collaboration agreements deliver better value for money or enhance effectiveness –A wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area.

Chief Constable’s role The Chief Constable (CC) is responsible for maintaining the Queen’s Peace and has direction and control over the Force’s officers and staff. The CC, their officers and staff retain operational independence. The CC is responsible to the public and accountable to the PCC for: –Being the operational voice of policing in the area –Supporting the PCC in the delivery of strategy and objectives in the Plan –Assisting the PCC in planning the budget and having day to day responsibility for financial management of the force –Having regard to the Strategic Policing Requirement

Role of Police and Crime Panel The purpose of the Panel is to scrutinise the PCC, not the Chief Constable. It should also act as a “critical friend” and support to the PCC. The PCPs functions include the power to: –Veto the proposed precept and any candidate for Chief Constable (two-thirds majority of total Panel membership required) –Review the draft Plan and make recommendations –Request relevant reports and information from the PCC –Require the PCC to attend the Panel An “important but limited role” (Home Office)

PCCs and responsible authorities must act in co- operation with each other Responsible authorities must have regard to the objectives in the police and crime plan The PCC must have regard to the relevant priorities of each responsible authority The PCC will be able to require reports from CSPs about issues of concern and call meetings to discuss issues The PCC will be able to commission community safety work from a range of partners, not just CSPs. PCC role – partnership working The election of the PCC introduces a change to the community safety landscape.

The PCC and VCSE The arrival of the PCC will have a profound effect on VCSE organisations involved in community safety. PCCs will play an important role in local commissioning of services. Community safety funding passes to PCCs in April 2013 and the funding for victim and witness support passes to PCCs in April 2014.

Elections and Transition The last date for candidates to declare is 19 October Elections are due to take place on 15 November The Returning Officer (PARO) has been nominated. Dorset County Council will host the Police and Crime Panel (composition Councillor Members + 2 co-opted members to a maximum of 20). The shadow panel must be in place by October. Dorset Police Authority and Dorset Police run a jointly chaired Transition Board. The Board includes the Returning Officer and representatives from the Community Safety Partnerships, Criminal Justice Board and the Police and Crime Panel.

First Months of Office The PCC will take up office on 22 November 2012 Before April 2013 the PCC must: –Issue the first Police and Crime Plan –Set the budget for 2013/14 Community Safety funding streams will move to the PCC from 1 April 2013