CANDIDATE PACK 2020
THEME 1: THE ROLE OF THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PCC The main functions and responsibilities of a Police and Crime Commissioner are to: • Produce a Police and Crime Plan which sets out the overall strategy for policing and crime reduction in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for four years • Set the Council Tax precept level and the annual police budget • Bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to ensure local priorities are joined up • Hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the police force • Contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary • Public engagement and consultation • Oversight of fire service governance • Collaboration The PCC is appointed to be the voice of local communities and involves engaging with the public, partners and the police force to ensure effective and efficient policing on a local level, whilst also contributing to national requirements. Based on their mandate, a PCC sets the strategic priorities of Hampshire policing area in consultation with the Chief Constable and wider community and partners. It is not the role of PCC to run the police force. Operational responsibility and decisions lie with the Chief Constable. A PCC must have regard to the Policing Protocol issued by the Home Secretary, which clarifies the respective functions of a PCC and Chief Constable and how they are expected to work together to prevent and reduce crime and improve policing. The PCC may be required to appoint the Chief Constable and if necessary dismiss them.
POLICE, FIRE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS The Policing and Crime Act 2017 introduced opportunities for PCCs to take on responsibility for fire and rescue governance. Under the legislation PCCs can, join their local Fire and Rescue Authority, alternatively PCCs can consult the public and submit a business case to the Home Secretary seeking to replace the Fire and Rescue Authority in their area. This option formally creates a Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC). PFCCs are additionally responsible for: • Putting in place arrangements to deliver an efficient and effective fire and rescue service • Setting the fire and rescue objectives for their area through a fire and rescue plan • Appointing the Chief Fire Officer, hold them to account for delivery of objectives, and if necessary dismiss them 3
• Setting the service budget and determine the precept
