Police and Crime Commissioners - Seminar 9 May
The Chairman of Suffolk Police Authority has circulated a news update for partners on the transition from police authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners.
News Update from Joanna Spicer, Chairman of Suffolk Police Authority
Transition from Police Authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners
Notice of a Police Reform Partnership Seminar to be held at Police Headquarters, Martlesham Heath on 9 May 2012
This is the first in a series of updates to inform Suffolk Police Authority partners, including the business community, of the changes that will be taking place this year (2012) as Police and Crime Commissioners replace existing Police Authorities.
Fundamental changes to the way policing will be governed in future is the main thrust of the Government’s Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which was enacted in September.
Government believes that directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners – a single elected Commissioner for each force area - will provide stronger and more transparent accountability for the police service.
The election to choose a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Suffolk takes place on 15 November 2012 with the successful candidate taking up office a week later on 22 November 2012.
The PCC, in aiming to cut crime and delivering an effective and efficient police service, will have a number of key roles. This includes:
- holding the Chief Constable to account, for policing the area;
- setting and updating a Police and Crime Plan;
- setting the Constabulary budget and the Council Tax precept;
- representing and engaging with communities;
- appointing, and where necessary, dismissing, the Chief Constable.
The PCC will be overseen by a new Police and Crime Panel (PCP). This Panel, which will be made up in the main of representatives from all the local authorities in Suffolk, is intended to be a ‘check and balance’ on the PCC.
As well as councillor members from each local authority there will also be two co-opted members on the PCP. In Suffolk this will mean establishing a joint committee comprising councillors drawn from the County and District Councils, and co-opted members. Local authorities are already progressing the necessary arrangements.
The PCP will have power amongst other things to:
- scrutinise the activities of the PCC;
- review the draft Police and Crime Plan and Annual Report;
and further, power to review and, if necessary, veto the PCC’s proposed precept levels and chief constable appointments.
Understanding the detail of the changes – Diary date for seminar – 9 May 2012
Suffolk Police Authority is working with the Constabulary to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the new arrangements and to this end a Transition Project Group of senior officers from the Authority and Constabulary under the oversight of senior members has been established.
The Authority is committed to keeping partners informed of progress and will be holding a seminar on 9 May, at Police Headquarters. Representatives of partners including local authorities, community safety and criminal justice agencies as well as local businesses will be invited.
There will be full opportunity to find out what is happening, to explore the emerging issues, ask questions and put forward your views. It is hoped as many partners as possible will be represented.
Please put a note in your diary for the morning of 9 May; further details of this key event will follow in due course.
Who can stand for election in Suffolk?
Candidates must be a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen, be 18 years old or over and be a resident of Suffolk.
There are some restrictions on candidacy as you might expect. They include conviction for an imprisonable offence, being a serving civil servant, judge, police officer, member of police staff or member of a police authority or member of the regular armed forces. There are full details on the Home Office website.
Further details about the election process will feature in a future bulletin.
Useful links for further information
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
Association of Police Authorities
Contact
If you have any further queries please contact Christopher Jackson, Chief Executive or Claire Swallow, Deputy Chief Executive at Suffolk Police Authority on email: christopher.jackson@suffolk.pnn.police.uk , claire.swallow@suffolk.pnn.police.uk; or by telephoning 01473 782777.