The role of a PCC
How the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will work in practice remains largely unknown and much will depend on the public mandate through which he/she is elected.
The Government is determined that the majority of the work undertaken by the PCC will be decided at a very local level, but there are a number of statutory requirements of a PCC. These include:
The appointment and assessment of the Chief Constable: The PCC will have the responsibility for employing the Chief Constable for North Yorkshire. Although the PCC will have the sole responsibility for employing or requiring the Chief Constable to retire or resign, the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) would be able to veto the appointment of a Chief Constable. The PCC will not responsible for appointing the Deputy Chief Constable nor the Assistant Chief Constable(s).
Holding the Chief Constable to account for an effective and efficient Police Service on behalf of communities: The PCC, in much the same way as the Police Authority do, will hold the Chief to account for ensuring that the police service is working for communities and that the Chief Constable is undertaking his/her duties appropriately (local engagement for instance)
Production of a Policing and Crime Plan: The PCC will inherit the Policing Plan for 2012/13 which will have been set by the current Police Authority. The requirements of a Policing and Crime Plan differs from the current policing plan and will be the responsibility of the PCC rather than the Chief Constable. The incoming PCC will need to prepare a plan, in consultation with the Chief, as soon as practicable after taking office.
Setting of the Council Tax precept and annual budget: the PCC will be responsible for setting the budget and the precept (as the Police Authority currently is). The 2012/13 policing budget will have been set by the Police Authority on 13 February 2012. The PCC will be required to present their budget to the PCP for scrutiny and approval. The PCP has the authority to veto the proposed precept.
Produce and annual report: The PCC will need to produce and present to the PCP an annual report detailing how the police and crime objectives have been met through the year and what resources have been required to do so.
Attendance at the Police and Crime and Panel: The PCC is required to attend the Police and Crime Panel (PCP). The PCP will set its own agenda, including any sub-committees.
Membership of key forums: The PCC is expected to play a role in wider community safety issues beyond policing and will be the budget holder for community safety grants.
Direct Engagement with the public: The PCC will need to formally consider the views of victims when setting the police and crime objectives.
Regional/National responsibilities: In order to ensure that the PCC takes into account national policing requirements such as Counter Terrorism, cross- border policing and large scale public disorder, a Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) has been developed which will become statutory when the PCC takes office.
More information is available from the Home Office's website
