The Government has proposed a number of changes for policing, which they say aims to increase accountability in the police. We would like to know your views on these.
The full proposals are available via the Home Office website. Some of the key points aimed at increasing police accountability are:
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Abolition of Police Authorities, to be replaced by directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs);
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A single PCC for each force in England Wales;
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PCC will have five key roles:
- representing and engaging with those who live and work in the communities in their area and identifying their policing needs;
- setting priorities that meet those needs;
- holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving these priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible;
- Setting the force budget and setting the policing element of council tax (subject to referendum); and
- Appointing and, where necessary, removing the Chief Constable.
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PCC will be responsible for requiring their force to hold regular beat meetings to be as inclusive as possible to the wider population.
In essence, the current role and statutory duties of a Police Authority and, in particular, of holding the Chief Constable to account will be carried out by the PCC. This will be an extremely powerful role and the Coalition Government recognise the need to preserve ‘checks and balances’.
There is also therefore, a proposal to create a Police and Crime Panel (PCP). Panels will be drawn from locally elected Councillors from constituent wards and independent lay members. Their principal role will be to:
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Advise the Commissioner on the proposed policing plans and budget;
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Trigger a referendum on the policing precept, if required;
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Hold confirmation hearings for the post of Chief Constable and for other appointments made by the Commissioner to his or her staff;
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Appoint Interim Commissioners, when required; and
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Request the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate the Commissioner in cases of misconduct allegations.
As a Police Authority, we are committed to working for the best for our communities. We will work closely with the Home Office to ensure that any changes that are introduced are to the benefit of the people we represent.
South Wales Police Authority is certainly not opposed to change, and welcome any proposals which will lead to an increase in public accountability of the police service. However, we want to ensure that any changes to the current system that are brought in are affordable and will genuinely result in improvements.
To view some of our views on the proposals,
click here.
We would like to know what you think of the proposals outlined above.
Click here to take survey