Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner
Post	Police and Crime Commissioner
Body	Merseyside
Incumbent	Steve Rotheram
Incumbentsince	13 May 2021
Style	Commissioner
Appointer	Electorate of Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens
Termlength	Four years
Formation	22 November 2012
Inaugural	Jane Kennedy

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner is the directly elected official charged with setting policing priorities for the police force covering Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, and St Helens. The post was established following the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and replaced the earlier Merseyside Police Authority to provide a single accountable figure for strategic direction, budgetary oversight, and community engagement. The commissioner works alongside the chief constable of Merseyside Police and interacts with national bodies such as the Home Office, National Police Chiefs' Council, and College of Policing.

History

The office was created in the wake of the 2010 United Kingdom general election reforms promoted by the Coalition government of the United Kingdom (2010–2015), with legislation passed as the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The first election for commissioner coincided with the 2012 cycle that established PCCs across England and Wales and followed the abolition of the county-wide Merseyside Police Authority, itself a successor to civic governance arrangements in Merseyside (county) created in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. Early officeholders navigated high-profile incidents including operations linked to the Anfield Stadium security planning, cross-border investigations with Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Constabulary, and cooperation with national efforts such as the Operation Resolve style reviews. The role evolved through interactions with successive Home Secretaries, parliamentary committees like the Home Affairs Select Committee, and reforms influenced by court rulings within the Court of Appeal of England and Wales.

Role and Responsibilities

The commissioner sets the police and crime plan and allocates the annual budget, including precept recommendations to local billing authorities such as Liverpool City Council and Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Responsibilities include appointing, supporting, and, if necessary, dismissing the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, commissioning victim services alongside charities like Victim Support and partnerships with organisations such as British Transport Police for rail policing at Liverpool Lime Street station and collaboration with agencies such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services for inspections. Statutory duties also encompass strategic crime reduction, oversight of custody standards at police stations, and participation in regional policing boards including the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and partnership forums with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and health bodies like NHS England.

Elections and Officeholders

The first election in 2012 elected Jane Kennedy, who had previously been Member of Parliament for Liverpool Broadgreen and served in ministerial roles under Gordon Brown. Subsequent commissioners have included Jane Kennedy’s successors from major political parties and independents who contested in the elections coinciding with the 2016 United Kingdom local elections, the 2021 United Kingdom local elections, and by-elections triggered by resignations. Notable candidates across cycles have included figures with backgrounds in the Labour Party (UK), Conservative Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independent civic activists from organisations such as Citizens Advice and Liverpool Hope University. Campaign issues often intersect with national debates on policing funding led by Chancellor of the Exchequer statements and local concerns voiced at venues like St George's Hall, Liverpool and meetings at the Merseyside Police Headquarters.

Structure and Governance

The commissioner's office comprises staff responsible for finance, commissioning, engagement, and legal advice, many liaising with bodies such as Crown Prosecution Service units in the North West and community groups like Save Our Streets style campaigns. Governance includes the Police and Crime Panel formed by local councillors from Sefton Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and St Helens Borough Council which scrutinises precept proposals and key appointments; the panel draws on statutory guidance from the Home Office and interacts with the Local Government Association and regional audit bodies like the Audit Commission successors overseeing public accounts. The commissioner also signs collaboration agreements with neighbouring forces including Lancashire Constabulary and coordinates with national counter-terrorism structures such as the Counter Terrorism Policing network.

Policies and Initiatives

Commissioners typically pursue policies on violent crime reduction, anti-social behaviour, and safeguarding vulnerable people, commissioning programs with partners like NHS Merseyside and voluntary sector organisations including Barnardo's and Victim Support. Initiatives have included investment in neighbourhood policing, youth diversion schemes co-run with Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool researchers, digital policing enhancements aligned with the College of Policing guidance, and collaboration on serious organised crime with the National Crime Agency. Crime prevention campaigns have engaged sporting institutions such as Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C. for stadia safety, transport partners like Merseyrail for transit policing, and victim advocacy groups addressing trafficking in cooperation with agencies engaged by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 enforcement.

Oversight and Accountability

Oversight mechanisms include the Police and Crime Panel, statutory audits by external auditors appointed under requirements reflecting the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and scrutiny by parliamentary committees including the Home Affairs Select Committee. Commissioners are subject to electoral accountability in four-year cycles and investigatory processes overseen by the Independent Office for Police Conduct when conduct issues arise, alongside judicial review in the High Court of Justice for decisions alleged to exceed lawful powers. Transparency mandates require publication of policing plans, expenditure reports, and meeting minutes with stakeholders such as Citizens Advice and community organisations, and routine engagement with media outlets including BBC North West, ITV Granada Reports, and local newspapers like the Liverpool Echo.

Category:Police and crime commissioners in England