News
Conference debates Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent
18 January 2012
Ann Barnes, Chair of Kent Police Authority, has vowed to leave a policing legacy behind her following the end of Police Authorities in November 2012.
The comments were made at a conference held on Monday 16 January to discuss how Police Authorities will transfer across to directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners.
The event saw over 100 attendees including local authorities, KCC, and Kent Police, as well as national figures and fellow Police Authorities.
Top dignitaries at the event included Sir Steve Bullock, Lewisham’s first directly elected Mayor. Sir Bullock provided a case study illustrating how directly elected democracy works with a single person rather than a using a committee structure, which is currently used by Police Authorities nationally to hold police forces to account.
Stephen Rimmer pictured, Director General of the Crime and Policing Group, at the Home Office provided a national perspective on the changes ahead and what to expect during the next 10 months.
Just as Police Authorities do now, Police and Crime Commissioners will hold police forces and Chief Constables to account as well as setting local policing priorities and deciding how the police council tax is spent on crime and policing issues.
Mrs Barnes said: ‘We’re not sitting back on laurels but making sure we leave the house in order for the next tenant. We will not take our foot off the pedal of accountability. It’s so important that the public is aware of these changes and the Authority is committed to doing all it can to ensure a seamless transfer without impacting on policing services. This conference is the first step to ensuring that all partner agencies are involved and aware of what lies ahead.’
Mr Rimmer, Director General of the Home Office said: ‘The election and introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales from November this year signals a fundamental change in how the public hold their police force to account. I was very encouraged by the excellent work already developing in Kent to gear up for this significant reform.’
AUDIO: Chair's comments on conference