Accounting for the Police: The New Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales
| Date | 01 June 2013 |
| Author | K. Smith,R.I. Mawby |
| DOI | 10.1350/pojo.2013.86.2.610 |
| Published date | 01 June 2013 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
R.I. MAWBY
Newport College, University of Wales, and University of
Gloucestershire
K. SMITH
Harper Adams University College
ACCOUNTING FOR THE POLICE:
THE NEW POLICE AND CRIME
COMMISSIONERS IN ENGLAND
AND WALES
The creation of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in
England and Wales in November 2012, replacing the former
Police Authorities, introduced a new mechanism for holding
the police accountable. This article considers the new system
in a cross-national context, arguing that the PCC system is
distinct from other systems that involve elected police officials.
Experience from other countries, however, suggests that there
are inherent dangers in making the police democratically,
rather than bureaucratically, accountable. In assessing the
potential for the new arrangements in England and Wales, the
article reviews the attributes of those who stood as candidates
and the process that resulted in the election of 41 PCCs, who
appear to represent the two main political parties, the police
and the constituencies that represented the old Police Author-
ities, rather than their local communities.
Keywords: accountability; governance; politics and police;
democratic policing
Introduction
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 20111provided
for the most radical transformation in the governance and
accountability of the public police in England and Wales since
the Police Act 1964. It led to the creation of Police and Crime
Commissioners (PCCs) in the 41 Police Authorities of England
and Wales, excluding London, in place from November 2012.2
The elected commissioners are responsible for holding their
force to account, hiring and firing the Chief Constable, setting
out local policing priorities and the police budget (Home Office,
2010). Additionally, they will allocate funding for most victim
services, which will be managed locally (Ministry of Justice,
2012a; 2012b). They will be supported by and accountable to
The Police Journal, Volume 86 (2013) 143
DOI: 10.1350/pojo.2013.86.2.610
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