North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner
Name	North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner
Formation	22 November 2012
Inaugural	Winston Roddick

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner is an elected official responsible for setting policing priorities, budgets, and strategic direction for North Wales Police in the principal areas of Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, and Isle of Anglesey. Created under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the role replaced police authorities such as the former Clwyd Police Authority and Gwynedd Police Authority and interfaces with national institutions including the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and the National Crime Agency.

History

The post was established following the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 as part of a wider reform that created Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales, replacing bodies like the Policing Authority model previously exemplified by the Clwyd Police Authority. The inaugural holder, Winston Roddick, took office in 2012 after a campaign referencing regional issues such as cross-border policing with Chester, collaboration with Greater Manchester Police, and responses to incidents related to Snowdonia National Park and the Irish Sea. Subsequent elections reflected changing party politics involving Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), and independent candidates, while national debates involving the Home Secretary and legislation such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 influenced the office's evolution.

Duties and Powers

The commissioner sets the strategic Police and Crime Plan, allocates the policing precept in council tax alongside local authorities including Wrexham County Borough Council and Conwy County Borough Council, appoints and can dismiss the Chief Constable of North Wales Police, and commissions victim services from organisations such as Victim Support (charity) and local charities working across Anglesey and Gwynedd. The role requires cooperation with regional bodies like the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and national agencies including the Serious Fraud Office for economic crime, and involves statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010 regarding protected characteristics within policing practice and procurement.

Election and Tenure

Elections are held on a four-year cycle using the supplementary vote system, with contests often featuring nominees from the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independents endorsed by local figures such as former Members of Parliament for constituencies like Vale of Clwyd or Dwyfor Meirionnydd. Turnout has been influenced by concurrent polls such as local elections for Denbighshire County Council and national events like a United Kingdom general election. Commissioners serve until resignation, removal by the Home Secretary in extreme cases, or electoral defeat; notable legal frameworks affecting tenure include the Local Government Act 1972 for local authority interactions and the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 for removal procedures.

Officeholders

Notable officeholders include inaugural commissioner Winston Roddick, whose tenure engaged with cross-border coordination with Merseyside Police and policing of events at venues like the Wrexham AFC stadium. Subsequent commissioners have come from political parties such as the Conservative Party (UK) and Labour Party (UK), drawing scrutiny from local MPs representing Alyn and Deeside, Clwyd South, and Ynys Môn. Officeholders have appointed chief constables including figures previously serving in forces like Cheshire Constabulary and Merseyside Police, and have worked with regional policing boards and police and crime panels established by county and borough councils.

Accountability and Oversight

The commissioner is subject to scrutiny by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel comprising councillors from Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Gwynedd Council, Denbighshire County Council, and representatives from Isle of Anglesey County Council. National oversight can involve the Home Office and independent inspectors such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in matters of complaint. Collaboration also arises with prosecutorial bodies including the Crown Prosecution Service and partnership working with organisations such as Public Health Wales on issues like domestic abuse and safeguarding.

Policies and Initiatives

Commissioners have advanced initiatives on rural policing in areas around Snowdonia National Park, maritime policing related to the Irish Sea, and digital policing programmes aligned with the National Crime Agency's priorities on cybercrime. Local campaigns have targeted road safety on arteries connecting Bangor and Holyhead, victim support services in partnership with Victim Support (charity), and diversionary youth programmes coordinated with education stakeholders including representatives from institutions like Bangor University. Funding priorities have included investment in neighbourhood policing, specialist units addressing organised crime with links to national taskforces, and procurement of technology from suppliers operating across the UK policing estate.

Controversies and Criticism

Criticism of commissioners has involved debates over precept increases affecting councils such as Wrexham County Borough Council and Flintshire County Council, contentious appointments of chief constables with backgrounds in forces like Cheshire Constabulary, and scrutiny from MPs and local media outlets including regional newspapers covering North Wales Live readership areas. High-profile incidents involving policing responses have prompted inquiries by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and calls for greater transparency from groups including civil liberties organisations and victim advocacy charities. National legislative controversies, such as debates around the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, have also intersected with local policing priorities and generated political debate among parties like the Conservative Party (UK) and Labour Party (UK).

Category:Police and crime commissioners in Wales