Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner
In September 2011, the government passed the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act
The Act included legislation that replaced police authorities with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
The PCC carries out several functions under the Act, that cannot be delegated:
- issuing the police and crime plan
- deciding on the policing and crime objectives for the police and crime plan
- calculation of the budget requirement, for the purpose of issuing the precept
- appointing, suspending and calling upon the Chief Constable to retire or resign
- attendance at the Police and Crime Panel for specified duties
- preparing the annual report
Under the Act, the PCC has to publish a record of decisions of significant public interest.
Further information can be found on the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner website
Suffolk Police and Crime Panel
The Suffolk Police and Crime Panel is a joint committee, established according to Schedule 6, Part 2, clause 4(5)(b) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
The Panel has the role of scrutinising the performance of the PCC. They can challenge or support the PCC's activities over a range of policy areas. This includes the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan.
The Panel has certain statutory functions, set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011:
- reviewing the police and crime plan
- reviewing the PCC's annual report
- carrying out confirmation hearings for some senior appointments
- carrying out confirmation hearings for the Chief Constable
- investigating complaints about non-criminal behaviour of the PCC
The panel meets a minimum of four times a year. Meeting locations and papers are available on the Suffolk County Council website