The Government has big plans for more devolution in England, to empower local decision-making on behalf of communities.
It also has big plans for policing across England and Wales, and colleagues and I are working closely with the Home Office, and others in the sector, to shape those changes.
Perhaps uniquely, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and police, fire and crime commissioners (PFCCs) are affected by both programmes of reform.
PCCs and their equivalents embody localism, enabling communities to help shape their local area. We are elected to act as the public’s voice in policing – a single, visible and accountable person who sets out local priorities on crime and policing, holding our police force accountable for delivering on them.
A core aspect of the PCC’s role is convening local partners from other sectors – local authorities, health, education, charities – to identify and act on the root causes of offending. Together, we find effective and efficient ways of reducing crime – for example through cross-sector diversion schemes for youngsters at risk of being drawn into criminal behaviour.
Learning from our deputy mayor colleagues, we know the opportunities further devolution brings for increasing the levers we can pull and enhancing the preventative work we do to keep communities safe.
On devolution, change is happening quickly.
The Government has announced that Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, and Hampshire and Solent will have elections for new mayors by May 2026.
Regardless of structural and procedural reform to how it is delivered, it is vital the locally elected link with policing be retained – for the public to have a say in how they are policed.
There are already mayors and deputy mayors who have responsibility for policing and crime, along with fire and rescue services, so we know that model works successfully alongside PCCs and PFCCs in other areas, and we will support its expansion to new areas of England.
PCCs perform a key role in holding chief constables to account.
Along with acting as the safeguard in the system to the considerable powers police hold over their fellow citizens, we ensure forces understand the need to build relationships with the communities they serve, while enforcing the law.
If we are to improve standards and, crucially, rebuild public trust and confidence in the police, devolution must ensure this is strengthened, and that scrutiny of chief constables is not reduced as areas move from a PCC or PFCC model to that of a mayor.
The role of a PCC is imbued with a singular capacity to bring together partners to deliver for the public based on local need. We commission and fund services that support victims as they recover and are faced with navigating their way through a complex and protracted criminal justice process.
Funding and delivery of these services must not be disrupted during the process of change, and we will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition in the areas impacted.
Ultimately, these changes must be of benefit to the public. To ensure that is the case, PCCs are fully committed to engaging at national and local level so that their valuable views and experience help shape the future for English devolution.
- To find out more about the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, visit the APCCS website.