Police and Crime Commissioners: The Changing Landscape of Police Governance in England and Wales: Their Potential Impact on Local Accountability,Police Service Delivery and Community Safety

This article considers the potential impact of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) on the governance and accountability of the police in England and Wales. The article assesses the powers and responsibilities of PCCs and their future responsibility for developing local police strategies. It considers the potential impact of the direct election of PCCs and the relationship between elected PCCs and the chief constable, where future election success may depend on the extent to which the local police force has achieved the objectives set for it by the PCC. The article goes on to consider the changing nature of local electoral politics and the need for local political party infrastructure to sustain an election campaign within individual (and often large) police force areas. The article thereafter considers the potential threat that PCCs as budget holders may represent to existing Community Safety Partnerships, along with the undoubted and continuing benefits that arise from police partnerships with local authorities.