1. Police and Crime Panels – the
issues
Ed Hammond
Research and Information Manager, CfPS

2. Contents
PCPs – their proposed role and powers
Key implications for scrutiny
What councils should consider in preparing for May 2012

3. Proposed role and powers
The PCP will hold the elected commissioner to account (but
not the Chief Constable)
It will be a formal committee of a council in the Force area,
but must also consist of councillors from other authorities and
some lay members
It will be able to examine the delivery of the Police and Crime
Plan but its powers of veto will be limited
Government have described it as a “scrutiny body”. It will be
resourced through extra funds in the policing grant

4. Key scrutiny implications
Composition – executive or non-executive?
Powers – are they enough?
How will the PCP work with other bodies – CSP
partners, CSP scrutiny committees?
Will its role focus on holding to account after the event
or will it have a broader remit to assist in policy
development?
How will it act on neighbourhood policing issues?

5. Issues for councils to
consider
Transitional issues:
Should a “shadow PCP” be established?
Can we be sure of anything until the Bill gets Royal Assent?
What will happen in Wales? Any lessons for England?
Operational issues:
How will national/local protocols defining co-operation
influence the PCP and how it works?
The need for strong links with local scrutiny functions
Business planning and where the PCP can most effectively
add value