Police & Crime Commissioners Flashcards
1
Q
Facts
A
- UK FBI was introduced, national crime agency
- Police not even spared the cuts
- Young & ethnic groups lack confidence in the police
= plebgate row, Andrew Mitchell - 43 regular police forces
- Home Secretary oversees all police authorities
= Priti Patel
2
Q
Priti Patel
A
Home Secretary
- Determines organisation of locally run forces
- Determines pay & conditions for police officers
- Responsible for law & order and locally run forces
- Leads fight against terrorism
- Ensures all are adequately run
3
Q
Finance for police
A
local gov
= council tax precept
Central gov
= police grant
4
Q
PCC role & powers
A
- Elected by local electorate in county or met area
- Appoints/Dismisses chief constable & assistant chief
- Not responsible for day to day policing
- Set budget & precept, ensure value for money
- Determine policing plan
- Set priorities to prevent and tackle crime goals
- Represents local views
- Hold chief constable to account
5
Q
PCCs elected by ‘supplementary voice’ system
A
- If no more than 50% all candidates has more 1st & 2nd place = eliminated
- When 1st choice preferences are counted, candidate has more than 50% votes cast = elected
- Electors sect 1st choice & 2nd choice
2012 PCC elections = lowest turnouts ever
6
Q
Independent Office for Police Conduct
A
Role:
- Supervises & monitors how police investigate complaints
- Carry out & oversee investigation of serious complaints
= deaths in custody or at hand of police office
7
Q
Independent Office for Police Conduct
A
Powers:
- Refer the case to crown prosecution service
- Can require disciplinary charges to be laid
= possible dismissal
8
Q
Police & Crime Panels
A
- Trigger referendum on council tax precept
- Hold them to account
- Scrutinise actions of PCCs
- Compromise 10 local councillors minimum
= 1 from each local authority area covered by PCC & 2 lay members
8
Q
Police & Crime Panels
A
- Trigger referendum on council tax precept
- Hold them to account
- Scrutinise actions of PCCs
- Compromise 10 local councillors minimum
= 1 from each local authority area covered by PCC & 2 lay members
9
Q
Chief Constables
A
- Discipline officers for misconduct
- Provide annual report of forces performances
- Deliver on the ground policing
- Manage forces budget
- Hire & fire officers below rank of assistant chief constable
10
Q
Police & Fire in London
A
- Makes met police democratically answerable
- Majority of members drawn from assembly
- Same role as all other police authorities
- No elected PCC
= Home Secretary appoints commissioner
11
Q
London Fire & Emergency Planning authority
A
- 17 members
= nominated by Assembly & mayor - Operates like all fire authorities
12
Q
Issues
A
- Politicising of the police service
- Mandates 15-20% turnout
- Lack of electoral info
- Powers
= conflict/dismissal of a number of Chief constables
13
Q
Issues
A
- Politicising of the police service
- Mandates 15-20% turnout
- Lack of electoral info
- Powers
= conflict/dismissal of a number of Chief constables
14
Q
Issues - Cuts
A
- Fewer police officers
- Merger of forces
- Sharing of staff between forces
= uniformed & civilian
