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Who's Who?

Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

The role of the PCC for Humberside is to be the voice of local people and hold the Chief Constable to account for delivery of an effective and efficient police service. The PCC is responsible for the totality of policing in the area.

The PCC is elected by the public to hold the Chief Constable and force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

The PCC ensures that community needs are met as effectively as possible, as well as improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust.  The PCC works in partnership across a range of agencies and organisations at local, regional and national level to ensure a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the PCC must:

  • secure an efficient and effective police for their area;
  • appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary dismiss them;
  • set the police and crime objectives for their area through a Police and Crime Plan;
  • set the force budget and determine the precept;
  • contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; 
  • bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up.

Role of the Chief Constable

The Chief Constable directs and controls the police force, officers and staff.  The PCC holds the Chief Constable to account for the exercise of their functions under the law.  In brief, the Chief Constable must:

  • Make decisions about operational policing of their area
  • Engage with the public and seek their views on policing in their area
  • Secure value for money
  • Work in partnership with others to implement strategies for the reduction of crime and disorder
  • Appoint and manage staff
  • Enter into contracts concerning property, employment and other agreements (with the PCC’s consent)

Role of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer

Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the PCC must appoint a Chief Executive to be the Head of the PCC’s staff.

The Chief Executive post also encompasses the role of monitoring officer, by virtue of Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which is to report to the PCC if it appears that any proposal, decision or failure within their organisation constitutes, gives rise to, or is likely to break the law or a code of practice.  The monitoring officer must send a copy of that report to the Police and Crime Panel.

The Chief Executive and monitoring officer role exists in addition to the scrutiny provided by the Police and Crime Panel.  It offers protection for the PCC by ensuring they comply with the law and provide transparency for their decisions and actions.

The PCC has a legal duty to give the monitoring officer the staff, accommodation and resources necessary to effectively carry out their duties.

View the current OPCC staff structure here

Role of the Chief Finance Officer

The PCC’s Chief Finance Officer has similar legal duties and responsibilities to the monitoring officer in connection with any unlawful, or potentially unlawful, spending by the PCC or those acting on behalf of the PCC.  The Chief Finance Officer is a statutory role under s.151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Role of The Police and Crime Panel

The Police and Crime Panel carries out the following functions:

  • Review and report on the Police and Crime Plan
  • Review and report on the PCC’s Annual Report
  • Review senior appointments (incl. Chief Executive, Deputy PCC and Chief Finance Officer)
  • Review the Chief Constable appointment
  • Review the PCC’s level of precept
  • Review and scrutinise the decisions made and actions taken by the PCC
  • Publish the Police and Crime Panel annual report
  • Appoint an acting PCC if necessary
  • Initial handling and informal resolution of conduct complaints against the PCC/DPCC. Although this function has been delegated to the Chief Executive of the OPCC as permitted by the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012.
  • Referral of serious complaints against the PCC/DPCC to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)

The Humberside Police and Crime Panel is made up of councillors from each of the four unitary authority areas that make up the Humberside Police area, plus independent members. The Panel exists to scrutinise, support and challenge the work of the PCC.

North Lincolnshire Council is the host authority for the Humberside Police and Crime Panel, providing support to the Panel and its members.