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| Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner | |
|---|---|
| Post | Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner |
| Incumbent | John Dwyer |
| Incumbentsince | 12 May 2016 |
| Formation | 22 November 2012 |
| Inaugural | John Dwyer |
| Salary | £76,800 |
| Website | Cheshire PCC |
Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner
The Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner is an elected official who sets priorities and holds to account the Cheshire Constabulary, working with institutions such as the Home Office (United Kingdom), the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Local Government Association, and national bodies including the College of Policing, the National Crime Agency, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The office was created by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 to replace police authorities like the formerCheshire Police Authority. The commissioner engages with stakeholders such as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Department for Transport (United Kingdom), and civic actors like Warrington Borough Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The role provides strategic leadership for policing across Cheshire, encompassing areas including Chester, Warrington, Crewe, and Macclesfield, and coordinates with neighboring policing boundaries such as Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police, and Staffordshire Police. Commissioners liaise with national agencies like the Crown Prosecution Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Police Chiefs' Council while engaging with public bodies including the NHS (England), the Care Quality Commission, and regional crime reduction partnerships. The post interacts with elected offices such as the Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales, Members of Parliament from constituencies like Chester (UK Parliament constituency) and Ellesmere Port and Neston (UK Parliament constituency), and devolved institutions like the Welsh Government where cross-border policing matters arise.
The office was formed following the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 introduced by the Coalition Government (United Kingdom, 2010–2015), driven by ministers including Theresa May and debated in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The inaugural elections in November 2012 featured candidates from parties including the Conservative Party (UK), the Labour Party (UK), the Liberal Democrats (UK), and independents with campaigns referencing institutions such as the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and civic groups like Citizens Advice. The post replaced the Cheshire Police Authority and inherited responsibilities previously overseen by council appointees from Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Halton Borough Council.
Statutory duties derive from the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and include setting the police and crime plan, determining the police precept in local taxation coordinated with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council, appointing and dismissing chief constables such as those of Cheshire Constabulary, and holding chief officers to account in scrutiny panels. The commissioner commissions victim services delivered by organisations such as Victim Support, funds community safety partnerships working with bodies like the Office for National Statistics for crime data and partners such as the NHS England for safeguarding. The office collaborates with national law enforcement bodies including the National Crime Agency, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (historical), and the National Police Chiefs' Council on cross-border operations and counter-terrorism liaison with Counter Terrorism Policing.
Elections follow rules set by the Electoral Commission (United Kingdom) and have occurred in cycles including 2012, 2016, 2021, and subsequent polls, with turnout often compared to local elections for bodies like Cheshire East Council and national contests for UK Parliament seats. Candidates represent parties such as the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), Green Party of England and Wales, and independents, and are subject to campaign finance rules enforced by the Electoral Commission (United Kingdom). Political dynamics intersect with national figures including Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer during campaign cycles and with local politicians such as leaders of Halton Borough Council and MPs representing Cheshire North and Eddisbury (UK Parliament constituency).
- John Dwyer — elected 2012 (Conservative), re-elected 2016 and 2021; worked with chief constables of Cheshire Constabulary and partners including the Home Office (United Kingdom), Local Government Association, and National Crime Agency. - [Subsequent commissioners if any to be listed chronologically], interacting with institutions such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and oversight bodies like the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Oversight mechanisms involve the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel comprising councillors from Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Halton Borough Council, and Warrington Borough Council, supported by statutory guidance from the Home Office (United Kingdom), scrutiny by bodies like the National Audit Office, and investigatory remit by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The commissioner’s budget and conduct are subject to audit by the Audit Commission legacy functions and the National Audit Office, while ethics and behaviour fall under standards enforced by the Local Government Ombudsman and the Information Commissioner's Office for data matters.
Critiques mirror national debates noted in reports by the Home Affairs Committee (House of Commons) and commentary from organisations such as Liberty (advocacy group), focusing on accountability, politicisation, and governance. Controversies have involved disputes over chief constable appointments, budgetary cuts debated with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council, and questions raised by media outlets including the BBC and the The Guardian. Academic analysis from institutions like the University of Manchester and think tanks such as the Institute for Government and Policy Exchange has examined impacts on crime outcomes measured by the Office for National Statistics and community confidence surveys by groups like Victim Support.