Local Democratic Accountability for Policing

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Questions and Answers

Who replaced police authorities as the principal instrument of local democratic accountability in November 2012?

  • Local Government Councils
  • The Chief Constable
  • The Home Secretary
  • Police and Crime Commissioners (correct)

Police and Crime Commissioners are elected for a term of five years.

False (B)

What is one of the principal obligations of a Police and Crime Commissioner?

To hold the chief constable to account.

The police and crime plan establishes the police and crime commissioner's objectives for __________.

<p>the policing of the area</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following powers of the police and crime commissioner with their descriptions:

<p>Appoint Chief Constable = Power to appoint, re-appoint or dismiss the head of the police force Set Budget = Ability to determine the financial plan for the police force Establish Local Priorities = Define specific focus areas for policing in the community</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the responsibilities of the Home Secretary regarding police and crime commissioners?

<p>Provide guidance for police and crime plans (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Crime and disorder reduction grants are part of the police and crime plan established by the chief constable.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When were the last elections for police and crime commissioners held?

<p>May 2021</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two main sources provide funding for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)?

<p>Central Government and local precept (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Police and Crime Commissioners must consult with local citizens but not with chief constables while establishing a police and crime plan.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first PCC to take on governance of a fire and rescue service?

<p>Roger Hirst</p> Signup and view all the answers

PCCs are required to publish _____ reports on their work and progress.

<p>annual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following locations with their specific governance structures related to policing:

<p>Essex = First PCC to govern fire service London = MOPAC manages policing outside City of London Greater Manchester = Mayor has police governance responsibilities City of London = Non-party political governance</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must Police and Crime Commissioners do regarding local precept increases?

<p>Hold a referendum if rises exceed thresholds set by Government (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The governance of the City of London is similar to that of Greater Manchester.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which Act allowed PCCs to take responsibility for fire and rescue services?

<p>Policing and Crime Act 2017</p> Signup and view all the answers

PCCs can commission policing services from the chief constable or from other _____ in consultation with the chief constable.

<p>providers</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Police and Crime Panels in relation to PCCs?

<p>To consult on police and crime plans (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who holds the police accountable?

Police and crime commissioners are elected officials responsible for holding the police accountable in a particular area.

What is the role of the police and crime commissioner in budgeting?

Police and crime commissioners set the budget for the police force, ensuring financial resources are allocated effectively.

How does the police and crime commissioner hold the police accountable?

The police and crime commissioner evaluates the performance of the police force and holds the chief constable accountable for their actions.

What is a Police and Crime Plan?

The police and crime commissioner creates a plan outlining the police's priorities, objectives, and strategies for a specific period.

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What are the objectives of the Police and Crime Plan?

A police and crime plan sets out the objectives for a crime-free and safe environment, encompassing policing, crime reduction, and community safety.

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What power does the police and crime commissioner have over the chief constable?

The police and crime commissioner has the authority to appoint, dismiss, or reappoint the chief constable, ensuring leadership alignment.

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How do local priorities impact police actions?

The police and crime commissioner sets the priorities for the local police force through the Police and Crime Plan, reflecting the needs of the community.

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How is national policing related to local policing?

The Home Secretary, a national government official, provides overall guidance and oversight for policing, while local police and crime commissioners address specific local needs.

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Police and Crime Plan

A document detailing police priorities and strategies created by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

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Consultation for Police and Crime Plan

The PCC must consult with the Chief Constable and the local police and crime panel before developing the plan.

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Public Input for Police and Crime Plans

The PCC collects views from local residents and victims of crime to inform the Police and Crime Plan.

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PCC's Role in Appointing Chief Constable

The PCC is responsible for appointing and dismissing the Chief Constable.

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Commissioning Police Services

The PCC can commission police services from the Chief Constable or other providers, outlined in the Police and Crime Plan.

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PCC Funding Sources

The PCC receives funding from the central government and local precept (portion of council tax for policing).

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PCCs and Fire & Rescue Services

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 allows PCCs to govern local Fire and Rescue services.

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PCCs in Wales

PCCs in Wales have similar roles to English ones, but the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act reflects Welsh devolution.

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Elected Mayors and Policing

Mayors of London, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire fulfill the functions of a PCC, including policing and fire and rescue responsibilities.

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City of London Policing

The City of London has a unique, non-partisan model of policing governance led by the Lord Mayor.

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Study Notes

Local Democratic Accountability for Policing

  • From 1964 to 2012, police authorities handled local democratic accountability for policing.
  • In November 2012, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) replaced police authorities, becoming the primary local democratic accountability body.
  • London, Manchester, and West Yorkshire have direct equivalents of PCCs within their mayors' offices.
  • PCCs are elected for four-year terms. The most recent elections were in May 2021.
  • PCCs are directly accountable to the Home Secretary for national policing policy and funding.

Principal Obligations of PCCs

  • Setting the police force's budget.
  • Ensuring police efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Holding the chief constable accountable for their force.
  • Developing a police and crime plan that the chief constable must consider.

Police and Crime Plans

  • Outline PCC objectives for policing, crime reduction, and national/international obligations over a four-year period.
  • Detail the policing services the chief constable will provide.
  • Detail the funding the PCC will provide to the chief constable.
  • Describe how the chief constable will report on policing delivery.
  • Specify how to measure the chief constable's performance.
  • Indicate crime and disorder reduction grants and their conditions.

Principal Powers of PCCs

  • Appointing, reappointing, and dismissing the chief constable.
  • Determining the police force's budget.
  • Setting local police priorities through a police and crime plan.
  • Consult with the chief constable and local police and crime panel before establishing a plan.
  • Engage local people, including crime victims, and publish the plan.

Publicity and Reporting

  • Publish information crucial for the public to evaluate PCC and police force performance.
  • Publish annual reports detailing work progress in achieving police and crime objectives.

Funding for PCCs

  • Funding comes from central government and local precept (part of council tax).
  • Local precept is subject to referendums if rises exceed government thresholds.

Working with Chief Constables

  • PCCs appoint and can dismiss chief constables, but chief constables appoint other officers.
  • PCCs can commission policing services and other providers, detailed in the plan, including their objectives and funding information.
  • PCCs can require chief constable reports on functions at any time.

Fire and Rescue Services

  • The Policing and Crime Act 2017 enables PCCs to oversee local fire and rescue services.
  • PCCs can take on control of a service following a local case and approval from the Home Secretary.
  • Collaboration is mandated among police, fire, and ambulance services where beneficial to efficiency and effectiveness.

Regional Variations & Specific Cases

  • Wales mirrors English PCC arrangements, but considers Welsh devolution.
  • London, Manchester, and West Yorkshire have elected mayors with policing oversight.
  • The City of London utilizes a non-party political governance structure through its Lord Mayor.

HMICFRS and PCCs (not clearly defined in provided text)

  • It was not clearly defined how or what HMICFRS does in relation to PCCs and Mayor's Offices for Police.

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