About the Norfolk Police and Crime Panel (PCP)
Answers to your top five questions about the PCP...
What is a Police and Crime Panel?
Police and Crime Panels (Panels) are an integral part of the local policing and, where applicable, the fire governance landscape in England and Wales.
Their role and functions are defined by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), in particular, sections 28 to 30 and Schedules 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. In each police force area, they play a vital role in scrutinising the actions and decisions of the relevant Police and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner).
Panels provide a crucial element of transparency to the public, hosting meetings publicly where possible, whilst ensuring that appropriate information is available to enable the local electorate to hold their Commissioner to account. They are to maintain a 'check and balance' on the performance of the directly elected Commissioner.
How many members does Norfolk's Police and Crime Panel have?
In Norfolk, the Panel comprises 12 members. 10 are local councillors and 2 are co-opted independent members.
What is a co-opted independent member?
Panels have two types of member:
Local councillors - chosen by local councils, and
Co-opted independent members - local people who are not councillors, chosen through an open recruitment process, who bring a non-political dimension to the Panel.
All 41 Panels across England and Wales are required to have a minimum of two independent members who sit alongside elected local authority members. Independent members bring a unique set of expertise, ensuring that the necessary skills and knowledge are available for a Panel to discharge its scrutiny function effectively.
What do Police and Crime Panels do?
The main responsibilities of the Panel are to:
Scrutinise the work of the Commissioner to ensure they are discharging their functions effectively
Review the Commissioner's draft Police and Crime Plan and annual report
Review the Commissioner's annual proposed precept
Review the Commissioner's proposed appointment of senior staff, including the Chief Constable
Resolve non-criminal complaints about the conduct of the Commissioner
Make reports or recommendations to the Commissioner as needed, which the Commissioner must take account of and respond to.
How do Police and Crime Panels work?
Panels meet regularly to carry out their main responsibilities and question the Commissioner about all aspects of their activities. These meetings will usually be held in public.
Useful links
Police and Crime Panel - Norfolk County Council
Police, fire and crime panels guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (norfolk-pcc.gov.uk)