What is a Police and Crime Commissioner?
Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are elected representatives who oversee how crime is tackled in a police force area. Their aim is to cut crime and to ensure the police force is effective.
Under the Policing and Crime Act 2017, Police and Crime Commissioners can also make a case to take control of fire and rescue services in their areas and are known as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCC). Details are available on individual force pages where this applies.
What do PCCs do?
PCCs work with the police and other partners to cut crime, give the public a voice at the highest level, and hold forces to account and help restore trust. Your PCC will do this by:
- being directly accountable to the scrutiny of the public
- having the democratic mandate to respond to local people's concerns
- setting local force's policing priorities and force budget
- working with local partners to prevent crime
- holding their Chief Constable to account for the performance of the force
- appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the Chief Constable
- taking on the functions and duties of fire and rescue authorities
SOURCE: Police.UK