Why bother voting for a Police and Crime Commissioner? A DMU politics expert explains.

Across much of England and Wales there will be elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC*) on 2 May. 

These elections have been running on a four-year cycle since 2012 (bar COVID’s intervention) but the vast majority of people are unaware of them, or the role played by the elected PCC. 

The blame for this can lie firmly at the feet of central government, who have failed to provide any substantial form of information campaign to the public, but that is a separate issue.

So, what does a PCC do? 

In broad terms, the PCC is responsible for the strategic plan for policing in their area. Here we have elections for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC.  The successful candidate - and there are five candidates standing for election - will be responsible for the overarching plans for the delivery of policing. 

This includes how the budget is spent – and that budget comes from the Council Tax we pay.

The PCC is NOT responsible for the day-to-day running of policing. That remains with the Chief Constable, although the PCC IS responsible for the hiring and firing of the Chief Constable.

The strategic planning for policing will need to be in line with the policies of central government. So, as with any elections at a sub-national level, the powers and responsibilities of those bodies are normally decided by Parliament.

I am not a big fan of the PCC elections. When the first elections were held in November 2012, I felt it increased the party-politicisation of policing.

Previously, policing had come under local council control. Thus, for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, there were a number of councils working together on the issue of policing for the collective benefit of their communities.

The counter-argument is being able to hold someone to account for the delivery of policing.  Under the old structure, that clear line of accountability was missing.

If there were faults with policing in a given area, it was often difficult to work out who was responsible for what, and, ultimately, who was accountable.  The PCC elections change that.

Each PCC has their strategic plan, and they can be judged on the extent to which they have fulfilled their objectives. 

So, why bother voting?

It is about engaging with the candidates in relation to how policing in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is undertaken.

What are your concerns about the different forms of crime that are occurring in the area, and how that impacts upon you?

It’s about telling the candidates – or the successful candidate after the election - about your concerns in relation to policing and your personal safety.

Does a visible police presence make you feel any safer? How do the police deal with reported crimes? Is the police force representative of your community?

Dealing with all of this ultimately comes back to the PCC, and the election is the one opportunity where you can choose the best candidate to deal with those concerns.

*In some regions this will be the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

You can read about the Leicester and Leicestershire candidates and their election statements here