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Government publishes draft protocol for new Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables
In the journey towards the introduction of the first Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in May 2012, the government today published a draft protocol setting out the relationship between PCCs and Chief Constables.
As set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
currently being debated in the House of Lords, Police and Crime
Commissioners will have a number of statutory functions as part of
their role to hold police forces to account. These include setting
the strategic direction of the force, holding the Chief Constable
to account and setting the budget.
The draft protocol sets out the PCC's legal duty to
maintain an efficient and effective police force, and to provide
the local link between the police and the public. They will work
to translate the legitimate desires and aspirations of the public
into action on the part of the Chief Constable to cut crime and
antisocial behaviour.
It also sets out responsibilities for areas other than the
police force, such as the delivery of community safety through
bringing together Community Safety Partnerships, and entering into
collaboration agreements with other PCCs and forces to deliver
better value for money and enhanced policing capabilities.
The government has made a strong commitment to ensuring that
the operational independence of Chief Constables will remain. The
draft protocol, laid in the House of Lords today, builds on this
commitment by making clear that Chief Constables retain the
direction and control over the force's officers and
staff.
Policing and Criminal Justice Minister Nick Herbert said:
"The government is determined to replace police
authorities with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners,
to strengthen the local accountability of policing, give
communities a voice and enable less interference from Whitehall.
"This draft protocol sets out the proper roles of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, and makes clear that the operational independence of the police will be safeguarded.
"We hope that the draft protocol will help to inform
debate on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, and we
welcome comments on it."
In addition, the draft protocol also sets out the powers and
functions of the Police and Crime Panel (PCP), which will
scrutinise the decisions of the PCC. It states that, where the PCP
seeks to scrutinise the PCC on an operational matter, the Chief
Constable may also need to appear before the panel to offer
factual accounts and clarity regarding the actions and decisions
of police officers and staff.
Furthermore, the draft protocol underlines the commitment to
limiting the role of the Home Office in day-to-day policing
matters, while restating the powers retained by the Home Secretary
for use as a last resort in defined circumstances. These powers
allow the Home Secretary to direct the PCC and Chief Constable to
take action if they are failing to carry out their functions.
The government committed during the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill in the House of Commons to bring forward a draft protocol with the aim of making it available for consideration of the Bill in the House of Lords. A memorandum of understanding was recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The draft protocol has been drawn up in association with representatives from Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Police Authority Chief Executives.
053/2011
NOTES TO EDITORS
For a copy of the document, please contact Home Office press
office on 020 7035 3535.
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk