Police & Crime Commissioners

Question 1

Facts

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Priti Patel

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Finance for police

Answer 3

local gov
= council tax precept

Central gov
= police grant

Question 4

PCC role & powers

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

PCCs elected by ‘supplementary voice’ system

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Answer 6

Role:
- Supervises & monitors how police investigate complaints
- Carry out & oversee investigation of serious complaints
= deaths in custody or at hand of police office

Question 7

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Answer 7

Powers:
- Refer the case to crown prosecution service
- Can require disciplinary charges to be laid
= possible dismissal

Question 8

Police & Crime Panels

Answer 8

• 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

Question 8

Police & Crime Panels

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Chief Constables

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Police & Fire in London

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

London Fire & Emergency Planning authority

Answer 11

• 17 members
  = nominated by Assembly & mayor
• Operates like all fire authorities

Question 12

Issues

Answer 12

• Politicising of the police service
• Mandates 15-20% turnout
• Lack of electoral info
• Powers
  = conflict/dismissal of a number of Chief constables

Question 13

Issues

Answer 13

• Politicising of the police service
• Mandates 15-20% turnout
• Lack of electoral info
• Powers
  = conflict/dismissal of a number of Chief constables

Question 14

Issues - Cuts

Answer 14

• Fewer police officers
• Merger of forces
• Sharing of staff between forces
  = uniformed & civilian

Question 15

Unitaries & Hybrids

Answer 15

Combined fire authorities

Determines own budget

Question 16

County Council

Answer 16

Fire and rescue authorities

Funded by council tax precept

Question 17

Policing & Crime Act 2017

Answer 17

PCCs can set up joint police and fire services where local case is made.
Housing, communities & local gov secretary responsible for fire service provision.