What is a Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC)?
“The role of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is to be the voice of the people in policing, and to hold the Chief Constable to account for how he/she discharges their functions. The aim of all PCCs is to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service within their force area”
Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are elected representatives with responsibility for policing in each police area in England and Wales. Each police area (except for Greater London, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, where the elected mayor is responsible) elects a commissioner every four years.
PCCs are responsible for:
- Setting the Police budget
- Deciding what the Police’s priorities should be
- Appointing the Chief Constable, who is responsible for making operational decisions, and holding them to account
- Providing strategic oversight to the Chief Constable’s decisions
- Helping to improve the criminal justice system to support victims and reduce re-offending
- Working with other local organisations (e.g. local councils) to provide a joint approach to reduce crime
- Work closely with other local emergency services
- Act as a bridge between the public and the Police Service
- Ensure the Police service is working efficiently and effectively
- Making their community a safer place
It is incredibly important to vote in the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner election; each vote counts and you could make all the difference! In previous years, the election turnouts have been terribly low – 2016 saw a 26.6% turnout which had an 11.6% increase on 2012.
We cannot possibly have legitimate results if the turnout is this low as it is not representative of the public’s views. We need your vote to make the results fairer and a more accurate demonstration of your needs. Don’t forget, your Police and Crime Commissioner is there to represent you; they cannot do their job without you and your involvement.
How do I vote in PCC elections?
Police and Crime Commissioner elections use the Supplementary Vote (SV) system. The ballot paper you’ll be given will list the PCC candidates, with two columns for marking your first choice and second choice. In the first column, you mark a cross next to the candidate who is your first choice or your preference.
In the second column, you can mark a cross next to the candidate who is your second choice. You don’t have to mark a second choice, however, but you need to vote in the first column for it to be counted. If only two candidates stand in your area, the election will use the first-past-the-post system.
You can only vote for one candidate, by putting across [X] in the box next to your choice.
See – it’s as simple as that. Quick, short and snappy and everyone’s voice is heard. We’ll see you at the polling station!
