Police and crime panels

Each police and crime commissioner will answer to the public on the delivery and performance of the police service in their area. Police and crime panels will scrutinise the actions and decisions of each PCC and make sure information is available for the public, enabling them to hold the PCC to account.

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs)  are elected by the public and their job is to listen to their needs, bringing more of a public voice to policing, getting across local concerns and providing a name and face to complain to if not satisfied with policing and crime in their area.

The PCC will answer to the public on cutting crime in their police force area. They will also hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the police force. 

Support and challenge

Panels are being introduced in each force area to examine the actions and decisions of each PCC. These panels will make sure information is available for the public so that they can hold their PCC to account.

Panels will support and challenge PCCs when they carry out their functions. They will not replace police authorities and will not have a role in scrutinising the performance of the force (that is the role of the PCC).

Panels will focus their attention on important strategic actions and decisions made by the PCC, this will include whether they have:

• achieved the aims set out in their police and crime plan and annual report
• considered the priorities of community safety partners
• consulted appropriately with the public and victims

Panel powers

Panels will have a range of powers to help them carry out their functions and specific responsibilities relating to the police and crime plan and annual report. These include:

• making reports and recommendations on these two documents, of which the PCC must take account and respond
• publishing all reports and recommendations that it makes
• hold public meetings to discuss the annual report and to question the PCC

Panels can also make reports or recommendations (including vetoing with a two-thirds majority) about the proposals by PCCs on:

• the level of the precept (council tax charge for the police)
• appointing a Chief Constable

Other specific powers held by the police and crime panels will include:

• asking for a professional view from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary if the PCC is planning to dismiss the chief constable. In cases of dismissal the panel must hold a scrutiny hearing and make a recommendation to the PCC
• appointing an acting PCC if the elected one cannot carry out their role (for health reasons, or following resignation or disqualification)
• holding confirmation hearings for important staff (deputy PCC, chief executive, chief finance officer). The panel will not be able to refuse appointments but can make recommendations to the PCC
• monitoring complaints against the PCC and dealing with non-criminal complaints
• making the PCC (and their staff) attend panel meetings to answer questions
• asking the chief constable to attend any meetings
• making reports and recommendations on any action or decision of the PCC 

Members of the panel

Panels will be made up of at least one elected representative (councillors or elected mayors) from each local authority (unitary, county and district) within the force area and two independent co-optees. There must be at least 10 elected representatives. In areas with fewer than 10 local authorities, each authority will have one member and the rest of the seats will be negotiated between authorities locally.

Local authorities will need to put forward, and (in England) appoint members on to the panel. They must ensure it is balanced, as far as possible, according to the geographical and political make-up of the force area and that members have the skills and experience required to function effectively.

Once established, with the Home Secretary's permission, panels will be able to co-opt additional members, both elected and independent, up to a panel size of 20.

Panels in Wales will be slightly different. Instead of local authority committees, they will be free-standing public bodies, set up and maintained by the Secretary of State, in line with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act. However, we still want Welsh panels to be as locally determined as possible.

Councillors will make up the majority of the panel, they answer to the public and are aware of the principles of scrutiny. However, as panels are free-standing organisations in Wales, members will be voluntary public appointments made by the Secretary of State. To make sure that these panels are right for the local area, the Home Secretary will invite local authorities in Wales to take a leading role in setting up the panels.   

Funding of the panel

The Home Office will provide £53,300 funding for each panel each year to cover support and running costs. Expenses of up to £920 will also be available to each member. Funding in 2012-13 will be about half of this amount to account for the fact they will only be in place for six months of the financial year (October to March).

Additional funding, for translation, is available to Welsh panels.