Conservatives have given the pubic real power over policing in their local area. By introducing elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC). People now have someone who can hold the police to account and make sure they’re doing everything they can to cut crime and focus on the frontline.
With a Conservative government and a Conservative PCC, taxpayers will get both value for money, and safer, more secure communities.
Commissioners are elected individuals, directly accountable to their local electorate at the ballot box. They take executive decisions, supported by a highly qualified team. They replaced the largely unknown and unaccountable police authorities which preceded them, giving people a direct say in how they are served by their local police for the first time.
Police and Crime Commissioners don't have control over operational policing matters – they cannot tell the police whom to arrest, for instance – but they can make sure that policing priorities reflect the concerns of local communities, raise issues of concern from the people they represent, and drive savings in the police budget to help local taxpayers.
The next election for this important role will be held on 5 May 2016 and each Police and Crime Commissioner will:
- Help lead the fight against crime & anti-social behaviour
- Work with Chief Constables to set the direction for policing in their area and hold them to account for the delivery of local policing
- Decide policing strategy and the force budget including setting the local council tax contribution
- Work with local authorities, community safety partnerships, local criminal justice boards and many other bodies
- Address national issues as well as local concerns
