Hampshire Police Authority

PCC Role

The Government has said that the majority of the work of the PCC will be decided at a very local level, and the legislation sets out very few statutory requirements.

The Act states ‘The police and crime commissioner for a police area must –

  • secure the maintenance of the police force for that area, and

  • secure that the police force is efficient and effective’

The list below is not exhaustive but is provided to give a flavour of some of the PCC’s roles and responsibilities.

  • Appoint the Chief Constable: Although the PCC will have the sole responsibility for hiring or firing the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) has the authority to veto the appointment of a Chief Constable.

  • Hold the Chief Constable to account.

  • Production of a Police and Crime Plan: The PCC will be required to produce a Police and Crime Plan which the incoming PCC will need to prepare as soon as practicable after taking office.

  • Attendance at the Police and Crime and Panel: The PCC is required to attend the Police and Crime Panel (PCP). The PCP will set its own agenda, including any sub-committees.

  • Setting of the Council Tax precept and annual budget: The PCC will be responsible for setting the budget and the precept. The PCC will be required to present their budget to the PCP for scrutiny. The PCP has the authority to veto the proposed precept.

  • Membership of key forums: The PCC is expected to play a role in wider community safety issues beyond policing and will be the budget holder for community safety grants.

  • Direct engagement with the public.

  • Regional/National responsibilities: In order to ensure that the PCC takes into account national policing requirements such as Counter Terrorism, cross- border policing and large scale public disorder, a Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) will be dictated from the Home Secretary.

  • Publishing an annual report stating how priorities and targets have been met, and other information as specified by the Secretary of State to enable greater public awareness of police and crime performance in the area.

  • Collaborating for an efficient and effective Criminal Justice System for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with partners such as the Youth Offending Team, Crown Prosecution Service and Prison Service etc.

Information can also be found by visiting the Police and Crime Commissioners section on the Home Office website.

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