Police and Crime Commissioner Model: Review
The Minister for Crime and Policing ()
I wish to set out to the House details of a review into the
role of police and crime commissioners.
The Government’s manifesto committed to strengthening the
accountability of PCCs and expanding their role. Police and
crime commissioners were introduced in 2012 to give the
public a direct say over policing in their area. Since coming
into post, they have brought real local accountability to
policing and are working to give local communities a stronger
voice.
After eight years, it is right that we step back and consider
how we can continue to evolve the PCC model. It is important
that PCCs are strong, visible leaders in the fight against
crime and have the legitimacy and tools to hold their police
forces to account effectively.
To deliver this commitment, I am today announcing a two-part
internal review into the role of PCCs.
Part 1 will commence in late July and report to my right hon.
Friend the Home Secretary and myself by October 2020. It will
be focused on changes required to strengthen the model,
which, where possible, can be delivered ahead of the 2021 PCC
elections. In particular, it will consider how to strengthen
the accountability, resilience, legitimacy and scrutiny
mechanisms of the existing model to drive up standards;
identify and share best practice across the sector; and
examine the effectiveness of the relationship between PCCs
and chief constables and the checks and balances currently in
place.
We will also use part 1 of the review to help us map out our
longer-term ambition for the expansion of the PCC role. In
relation to fire, the Government are clear that further
reform of fire and rescue services is required in order to
respond to the recommendations from phase 1 of the Grenfell
Tower inquiry and to build on the findings from Sir Tom
Winsor’s state of fire and rescue report, both of which
demonstrate the clear challenges and improvements required in
professionalism, people and governance. The review will
consider further options and opportunities to strengthen fire
governance and accountability, drawing on the lessons from
the first cycle of fire governance transfers to PCCs.
The review will also be fully aligned with the Government’s
commitment to expand the benefits of devolution across
England through the local recovery and devolution White
Paper. Mayors of combined authorities should be powerful
local figures with the ability to drive public safety, as
well as economic growth and local recovery. We plan to
develop the role of PCCs with that longer-term trajectory in
mind, building on the models in London and Greater
Manchester.
I would like to be clear that neither part 1 nor part 2 of
the review will consider a wholly new governance model for
policing or examine the 43 police force model.
An advisory group will support part 1 of the review,
comprising senior external stakeholders with expertise in the
policing and fire sectors. It will also be important that the
public’s views on those who represent them in policing are
heard and the review team will seek to engage a sample of
citizens and local and national victims’ groups as
appropriate.
Part 2 of the review will commence after the 2021 elections
and will allow us to consider further ways to strengthen and
expand the role of PCCs, including the role PCCs play in
tackling reoffending to help reduce crime. It will focus on
longer-term reforms and the potential for wider efficiencies
to be made within the system with a view to implementation
ahead of the 2024 elections.
