Candidates

We have created a briefing pack for candidates for the PCC role, bringing together information aboutt he CPS both nationally and in the South West. If you are a candidate in one of the following constabulary areas, you may find this information useful.

  • Avon and Somerset
  • Devon and Cornwall
  • Gloucestershire

PCC briefing pack for candidates 

 

PDF Information

In order to open PDF documents you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. The majority of computers have this software but if not you can download Adobe Reader free of charge here.

Get Adobe Reader

Home » Working with you » Police and Crime Commissioners

Police and Crime Commissioners

On 15 November 2012, for the first time ever, the public across England and Wales will elect police and crime commissioners who will be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force area.

The following information is taken from the Home Office website:

The job of the police and crime commissioner will be to ensure the policing needs of their communities are met as effectively as possible, bringing communities closer to the police, building confidence in the system and restoring trust.

They will aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within the force area.

They will do this by:

  • holding the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of the force
  • setting and updating a police and crime plan
  • setting the force budget and precept
  • regularly engaging with the public and communities
  • appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the Chief Constable

It will not be for the PCC to tell the professionals how to do their job - the legislation continues to protect the operational independence of the police by making it clear that the Chief Constables retain direction and control of the forces officers and staff. The operations of the police will not be politicised; who is arrested and how investigations work will not become political decisions.

PCCs will be required to swear an oath of impartiality when they are elected to office. The swearing of an oath will be an important symbol of impartiality, emphasising both the significance of this new role in local communities and that PCCs are there to serve the people, not a political party or any one section of their electorate.

PCCs will be responsible for the full range of policing work, including national responsibilities and local priorities. The Home Secretary will issue a strategic policing requirement to ensure the police can protect the public from cross-boundary threats such as terrorism, civil emergencies, public disorder and organised crime.

For more information about Police and Crime Commissioners, visit the Home Office website: PCCs on Home Office website

You can also find information specific to each police force area on the relevant Police Authority website: