Police and Crime Commissioners
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act was passed on 15 September 2011. This Act introduces reform to police governance arrangements that are designed to radically shift decision making power away from central government to local communities.
The new legislation will replace existing police authorities with Police and Crime Commissioners who will be directly elected by local communities. This will bring to an end 47 years of police governance by police authorities.
This section of the website aims to provide further factual information about the transition to police and crime commissioners.
What are Police and Crime Commissioners?
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are directly elected individuals who will make sure that the public’s views and priorities are the driving force behind policing. They will be elected by the residents of Kent and Medway to hold the police force to account on their behalf and to set the strategic direction for Kent Police.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent will be a single individual, who will be salaried and expected to undertake their role as a full time post. Whilst the PCC may appoint a deputy commissioner, they alone are responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force and for answering to the electorate.
What will Police and Crime Commissioners do?
Police and Crime Commissioners will hold polices forces and chief constables to account, and will be responsible for the totality of policing in the force area. PCCs will set local policing priorities and decide how your council tax is spent on crime and policing issues.
The main functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner will be;
- To ensure the police force is efficient and effective
- To issue the police precept (policing element of council tax)
- Set the police budget and receive all police grants
- Prepare and issue a 5 year police and crime plan
- Consult, engage and provide information to the public and victims of crime
- Deal with complaints and other disciplinary matters relating to the Chief Constable
- Work with local partnerships and allocate funds for community safety activity
- Appoint, and if necessary dismiss, the Chief Constable
Who, in turn, holds the Police and Crime Commissioner to account?
Ultimately, the public will hold the PCC account through the ballot box. PCCs will be elected every 4 years and the public choose whether or not they wish to re-elect a PCC.
However, during their 4 year term, PCCs will also be scrutinised by a Police and Crime Panel. In Kent this panel will be formed of a minimum of 14 representatives from local authorities and 2 independent members. The duties of the panel will include:
- Requiring the PCC to attend meetings of the panel and to respond to any concerns
- Making recommendations on the PCCs Police and Crime Plan and Annual Report
- The ability to confirm or veto the PCC’s appointment of Chief Constable and the level of police council tax.
Who can become a Police and Crime Commissioner?
Anyone can choose to stand as a Police and Crime Commissioner – you do not have to belong to a political party. However, candidates must:
- Be 18 years or over
- Be a Kent resident
- Be an EU or commonwealth citizen
Candidates may not stand to as a PCC if they have been convicted of an imprisonable offence carrying a sentence of 2 or more years, or if they are a serving; civil servant, judge, police officer, member of the regular armed forces, employee of a council within the force area, employee of a police related agency, employee of another government agency, politically restricted post-holder, member of police staff (including PCSOs) or existing member of a police authority.
How will the Police and Crime Commissioner be chosen?
The PCC for Kent will be chosen by the residents of Kent and Medway, and an election process will be held on 15 November 2012. Whichever candidate wins this election will take office as the Police and Crime Commissioner on 22 November 2012.
So long as you are registered and eligible to vote, you will be able to participate in the PCC elections in November 2012.
Further information regarding the election process and how to stand as a PCC candidate will be made available early in the new year. Please note that Kent Police Authority is not responsible for any election arrangements – these are being co-ordinated by Dover District Council. For contact details, please click here.
Does the Police and Crime Commissioner replace the Chief Constable?
No, members of the public will not be voting for a new chief constable. Police and Crime Commissioners will replace the police authority, and will simply be a new way of holding the Chief Constable to account.
Chief Constables will maintain their operational independence under the new arrangements.
What does this mean for Kent Police Authority?
Kent Police Authority will cease to exist when the Police and Crime Commissioner takes office on 22 November.
Kent Police Authority is firmly committed to delivering a smooth handover of policing governance, and is proud of its legacy over the last 47 years. Kent Police Authority is working with the force and partners across the county to ensure a smooth transition to the PCC era and is committed to continue this right up until the PCC takes office.
How can I find out more information?
The Home Office include information on PCCs on their website.
To view the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act click here.
Dover District Council is the returning authority for the elections. Should you require any further information regarding the election process or how to stand as a PCC candidate, please contact the elections team.
If you wish to contact Kent Police Authority for further information, please email us at kpaenquiries@kent.pnn.police.uk, telephone us on 01622 677055, or write to us at:
Kent Police Authority
Gail House
Lower Stone Street
Maidstone Kent
ME15 6NB