Police and Crime Commissioners

Question 1

Positives of directly elected PCC

Answer 1

Elected Commissioner would improve public visibility, enjoy better communication and shift the focus for policing from central government to the ‘local level’.

Question 2

Negatives of directly elected PCC

• Public opinion

Answer 2

Too bureaucratic, too biased towards centralisation and enjoy poor public understanding.

Question 3

Negatives of directly elected PCC

• finance

Answer 3

It would cost £130m in the first year in a time when the police face 20% cuts.

Question 4

What dose Labour think?

Answer 4

Yvette Cooper, the then shadow Home Secretary wanted to scrap the 42 elected post and return the oversight of police forces in England and Wales to local communities.

Question 5

Labour’s thoughts on PCC

• Cost

Answer 5

Cost too much - £80m on elections

Question 6

Labour’s stance on PCC (Yvette Cooper)

• accountability

Answer 6

Bringing in American-style commissioners, which put significant policing power in the hands of one politician with no proper checks and balances.