Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel formally responded to the government’s decision to scrap police and crime commissioners
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel formally responded to the government’s decision to scrap police and crime commissioners
Major changes to the region’s police governance have been called ‘hasty and wrong’ today, as Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel (MPCP) formally responded to the government’s decision to scrap the role of the police and crime commissioner (PCC).
Following a ministerial announcement on the November 13, the panel presented a letter which confirmed the government’s intent to abolish the role of Police and Crime Commissioners across the country, and as a consequence of that, scrap the role of police and crime panels.
The role was introduced by the Conservatives in 2012 and meant all 43 police forces covering local areas across England and Wales had to answer to an elected official. The system was introduced to boost accountability and performance of police forces.
The government said the move was inline with its wider aims around devolution and local government reorganisation. The PCC’s powers will likely be transferred to Mayoral strategic authorities, and the expectation is to have those arrangements in place by 2028, when the current Commissioner’s term of office concludes.
Emily Spurrell, who is the PCC for Merseyside and also the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said she was disappointed with both the decision and the lack of engagement, and expanded on that during the MPCP meeting today.
Responding to the police governance report presented today, December 4, at Knowsley Council’s Huyton offices – and the proposals to scrap the PCC role – Ms Spurrell said: “I think this was a hasty and poor decision.” Adding: “I think it’s the wrong decision.”
Ms Spurrell continued: “We were very unsighted on what the announcement was, so we’re now trying to figure out what the next steps are like.” Adding: “I want to also just be very clear that […] we are still in this role for two years and and whatever comes beyond that, work will still need to be done.”
Panel member Cllr Laurence Sidorczukz was unequivocal in his response to the update, he said: “This decision is such a retrograde step. There was a complete and utter lack of consultation, particularly with other OPPCs […] and I think that is a democratic deficit.”
Cllr Sidorczukz added: “If this is the very first step in police reform, and it’s such a bad first step, I don’t know what the rest are going to be like.”
The next elections for PCC were scheduled for May 2028 and will now be cancelled. The current PCCs will complete their current terms. Policing minister Sarah Jones told Parliament today that ending PCCs will save £100m.
Ms Spurrell, who is paid a salary of £88,600 a year, is currently responsible for setting the priorities for Merseyside Police; appointing and, if necessary, dismissing the chief constable; dealing with complaints and disciplinary matters against the chief constable; holding the top officer to account and publishing a report and crime plan.
She does not have responsibility for day-to-day deployment and delivery of police services or investigating complaints against officers below the rank of chief constable.
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