What is North Yorkshire Police Authority?
As part of a national week of highlighting the work of Police Authorities; find out what North Yorkshire Police Authority does for the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York.
North Yorkshire Police Authority (NYPA) is a statutory body of 17 local people who are responsible for ensuring that the residents and visitors of North Yorkshire and the City of York receive and efficient and effective police service.
The majority of members (9) are Councillors either from North Yorkshire County Council or the City of York Council and the remaining 8 are individuals who have applied to become an 'Independent' member. NYPA will be embarking on this process from March 2010 and applications are invited from any individual living or working in North Yorkshire and the City Of York.
NYPA must ensure that the Chief Constable delivers a police service which balances both national priorities and local concerns. It is responsible for the appointment of, and if necessary, has the power to remove the Chief Officers (Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) and above) and receives complaints against these ranks. Whilst it has no power to investigate complaints against lower ranks than ACC, it checks on the processes involved to ensure quality and fairness.
NYPA is also the budget holder for the Force and sets the policing budget each year based on needs and requirements set out by the Senior Team. In doing so, it sets the policing precept – the element of your council tax bill that goes to North Yorkshire Police. Before deciding on the level, NYPA does ask for comments from the public and this is currently ongoing until 4 February 2010 – either through the website, email info@nypa.gov.uk or telephone 01765 641839.
In North Yorkshire and the City of York there are 17 Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) areas and it is through these teams that you are most likely to see policing being delivered. NYPA has now aligned each of its members to a team area to determine that your voices are being heard when SNTs are agreeing their quarterly priorities and that the Policing Pledge actions are being undertaken within neighbourhoods.
Through an increased understanding of the successful delivery of policing and being closer to the communities it works for in securing an efficient and effective police service; the Police Authority can continue to take the most appropriate decisions. NYPA members cannot get involved in specific operational policing decisions but will be there to monitor overall service effectiveness.
If you want to keep up to date with the work of the Authority, you can follow us on Twitter @NYPAuthority, through our website or through our new newsletter NYPA Links (starting April 2010) which can be emailed to you. Please contact us for further information.
