East Suffolk Liberal Democrats

What does a Police & Crime Commissioner do?

The website of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners states that 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.

What next?

The next election for the Police and Crime Commissioner in Suffolk will be in 2020. As a party, we are not convinced that the system has worked so far, and we would prefer a more democratic means of ensuring the accountability of our police. But the role has been created in forty-one police forces across England and Wales, at great expense, so while the job exists it is important that we try to elect someone who will do the job well, ensuring that our elected PCCs share our values and priorities as Liberal Democrats.