Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens has welcomed the Home Secretary’s plan to review the role of PCCs to help give local people a greater say over policing.
Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens
PCCs are directly elected to be the voice of the people and to deliver an effective and efficient police force in the area.
They are also responsible for the budget and performance of their force, including cutting crime.
Measures to be considered as part of the review include:
- Raising the profile of PCCs
- Giving the public better access to information about the performance of their PCC
- Sharing best practice so that PCCs are delivering consistently across the country
- Reviewing the relationship between PCCs and Chief Constable
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I welcome this review announced by Government as I have long been a champion of PCCs having wider scope and more responsibilities to drive improvements.
“In Avon and Somerset, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) strives to lead improvement in policing, victim support and criminal justice services on behalf of local people.
“The review reflects the OPCC’s vision to achieve excellent victim support, better policing and fairer criminal justice services for all.
“This is an opportunity to really examine how all PCCs can ensure police, partners and services have an efficient and joined-up approach to get the best results for victims, local people and our communities.
“I am local people’s voice in policing and I am passionate about encouraging residents to share their concerns with me so I can improve their policing service and reduce crime in their area.
“I hope this review will help local people understand the role of the PCCs in more detail and demonstrate how we can work together to keep their neighbourhoods, towns and cities safe.”
The review will take place in two parts; the first stage, to be conducted over the summer, will look at raising standards and improving accountability so that all local people are receiving a good and open service from their PCCs.
This stage will also consider ways to strengthen the accountability of fire and rescue services in line with the Government’s long-term aims of fire governance reform.
The review’s second stage will take place following the PCC elections in May 2021 and will focus on longer-term reform.
This will include looking at what extra powers PCCs need to better fight crime in their areas.
The review will not consider scrapping the PCC model nor will it review the 43 police force model.
