Birmingham City University expert warns of 'more reforms' after PCCs scrapped
The role of Police and Crime Commissioner is being scrapped
Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales will be scrapped by the Government, it has been announced.
The elected officials were first introduced in 2012 and their responsibilities include setting budgets for their police forces and appointing the most senior officer - the chief constable - for their area.
But ministers plan to abolish the role in 2028 when the next elections are set to be held to save at least £100 million and help fund neighbourhood policing.
Ron Winch is a Professor for MA Policing and Intelligence Analysis at Birmingham City University.
He said: “It’s fair to say that the introduction of elected PCCs never captured the enthusiasm of the public.
“With only 16% of people able to name their local PCC, and with election turnouts as low as around 12% (in the case of the PCC for the West Midlands), reform was inevitable.
“With the disappearance of PCCs’ explicit democratic mandate, I expect the government to now look at the amalgamation of police forces to create further savings opportunities.”
He added: “We will then see elected PCCs replaced either by locally elected mayors or by locally elected existing councillors. For the West Midlands, this will mean the PCC’s functions will transfer to the Mayor of the West Midlands, in the same way that the Mayors of Greater Manchester and London already have responsibility for policing oversight.
“Local Chief Constables will still retain operational independence but will be appointed and held to account by those mayors and appointed councillors. It is presumed that these new bodies will still have responsibility for creating the local police and crime plan.
“We have yet to understand what any new funding arrangements will look like, as currently PCCs have the power to increase council tax to supplement general policing finance. I also sense that these announcements could prelude more radical reforms around police force numbers.”
The Home Office said the announcement was 'part of a major series of reforms to policing to raise national standards within the police, strengthen performance management and end the postcode lottery in crime outcome'.
They said: 'The upcoming Police Reform White Paper will set out further powers to improve standards, while restoring local neighbourhood policing.'
Home Secretary and Birmingham Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood, said:
"The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.
"I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.
"I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former police and crime commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms."
In response to the announcement, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Labour's Simon Foster, said: "The Government has chosen to announce its decision, without any prior consultation or engagement with police and crime commissioners.
"That is inexcusable, inexplicable and unacceptable.
"I was elected and re-elected on a clear democratic mandate, to retain the role of police and crime commissioner. Over 327,000 people voted for me, that's more than voted for either of the two main Mayoral candidates and on an equivalent turnout."