Association of Police and Crime Commissioners

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners is a national body representing the interests of Police and Crime Commissioners and certain Mayors across England and Wales. Established following the introduction of PCCs by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, it serves as a collective voice to influence national policing policy, share best practice, and scrutinize the work of bodies like the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs' Council. Its membership comprises all democratically elected PCCs, as well as the Mayor of London (through the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime), the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and other combined authority mayors with police and crime responsibilities.

History and establishment

The creation of the association was a direct consequence of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which introduced the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner to replace Police Authorities in most of England and Wales. The first PCC elections were held in November 2012, and the body was formally established to provide a unified forum for these new officials. Its formation was championed by early figures such as the inaugural Chair, Tony Simmonds, and supported by the then Home Secretary, Theresa May. The development of the association paralleled significant reforms in British policing, including the establishment of the College of Policing and changes to the structure of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

Structure and governance

The association is governed by a board of elected PCCs and mayors, led by a Chair and several Vice-Chairs who are elected from within the membership. Key governance committees include the **Commissioners’ Coordination Committee** and various **National Leads** who represent the collective on specific policy portfolios such as Violence Against Women and Girls, Roads Policing, and Cyber Crime. The secretariat is based in London and provides operational support. The current Chair is Marc Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, who succeeded Paddy Tipping. The body works closely with, but remains distinct from, the Local Government Association and the National Police Chiefs' Council.

Functions and activities

Its primary function is to represent the views of PCCs to central government, notably the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, on issues like police funding, legislation, and national strategy. It conducts consultations, produces policy papers, and facilitates joint working on cross-regional challenges such as Organised Crime and Counter-Terrorism Policing. The association also plays a key role in the oversight of national policing bodies, including the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It regularly submits evidence to parliamentary committees like the Home Affairs Select Committee and engages with media outlets including the BBC and The Guardian.

Relationship with policing bodies

The association maintains a critical, often collaborative, relationship with other major institutions in the British police landscape. It is a formal partner to the National Police Chiefs' Council, with which it issues joint statements and develops national strategies. It interacts with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on inspection frameworks and with the College of Policing on training standards. The relationship with the Home Office is central, involving negotiations on the annual Police Grant Report and the implementation of acts like the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. In London, it liaises with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Criticism and controversies

The association has faced criticism regarding the transparency of its lobbying activities and its influence on national policy. Some Police and Crime Commissioners have expressed concerns that it may not adequately represent diverse local priorities, particularly in regions like Wales or Cornwall. Its close working relationship with the National Police Chiefs' Council has occasionally been scrutinized by bodies like the Home Affairs Select Committee for potentially blurring the lines of democratic accountability. Furthermore, the association’s stance on certain issues, such as police funding formulas or responses to events like the 2011 England riots, has attracted media criticism from outlets including The Times and The Independent.

Category:Police organizations in the United Kingdom Category:Organizations established in 2011 Category:Law enforcement in England and Wales