What does the Police and Crime Commissioner do?

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were instituted in England and Wales through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. In November 2012, Anthony Stansfeld became the first elected PCC for Thames Valley, and he remains in office.

The same legislation introduced Police and Crime Panels to scrutinise the actions, decisions and performance of the PCC. The panel is made up of one local councillor from each of the local authorities in the Force area and two independent co-opted members.

The short video below explains the role of the PCC, which include oversight of the police force within their area, responsibility for funding of Police Forces, and setting budgets, setting a Police and Crime Plan, and holding the Chief Constable to account for its delivery (as well as being responsible for the appointment, suspension and dismissal of the Chief Constable).

Elections in May 2020, at which Mr Stansfeld had intended to stand down, have been postponed to May 2021 due to COVID-19. Turnout for the 2012 election was 13.3% of the registered electorate, in 2016 it rose to 25.6%.

📽️ This @AssocPCCs video provides an overview of the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in Thames Valley:

🗳️ Your PCC is elected by you
⚖️ They help improve the local criminal justice system
👮 They appoint @ThamesVP Chief Constable#PCCsMakingADifference pic.twitter.com/dgPU7kSH5i

— Thames Valley PCC (@TV_PCC) August 11, 2020