Transitioning from Police Authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners - what you need to know

Whilst the police service, including Suffolk Constabulary, continues to change and shrink in numbers of officers and police staff, a major police reform transformation will occur this year.

Since 1995 Police Authorities have been responsible for ensuring efficient and effective policing in the areas they represent. The Government has decided to abolish Police Authorities and, instead, will introduce directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC). The elections will be held on 15 November 2012 and a single PCC will be elected for each force area.

The PCC will be overseen by a new Police and Crime Panel which will in the main consist of representatives of all Local Authorities in a Force’s geographical area together with c o-opted members. The panel is intended as a ‘check and balance’ on the PCC.

The Government believes that elected PCCs will allow government to “get out of the way of local policing, putting accountability, rightly, in the hands of local people”. *The Government further believes that a locally elected PCC will better hold Chief Constables to account both for their local and national roles.

The PCC, in aiming to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service, will have a number of key roles. This will include:

  • holding the Chief Constable to account for policing;
  • 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.

What does it mean for us?

Planning for the transition in Suffolk from the current arrangements to the new has been underway for some time and has gained momentum since the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill became an Act in September.

A Transition Project Group** comprising senior officers of the Authority and Constabulary are working upon delivery of the change required and to enable a smooth and effective transition to the new arrangements.

Regular updates on progress will appear on the intranet to inform staff and we will be working with our partners to ensure that they are fully sighted on the transition plans in the county. A seminar for partners to discuss the issues arising from the election of the PCC and other aspects of the reforms will be held during May.

Implications for officers and staff

Staff currently employed by Suffolk Police Authority will become employees of the PCC when that person takes up office on 22 November 2012. 

Officers and police staff will remain under the direction and control of the Chief Constable with an expectation that discussions will take place between the PCC and Chief Constable as to the most appropriate employer for different members of staff. 

These negotiations will involve all the relevant staff associations.

*Home Secretary Theresa May introducing the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act

** The Transition Project Group comprises:

Authority:

Christopher Jackson, Chief Executive

Claire Swallow, Deputy Chief Executive

Chris Bland, Treasurer

Constabulary:

Gary Kitching, Deputy Chief Constable

Phillip Clayton, Assistant Chief Officer

Rachel Webb, Director of HR, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies

Anne Campbell, Head of Corporate Communications, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies