What is a Police and Crime Commissioner and what do they do?
LINK: East Midlands Interactive Map of Every Force & Every Candidate
LINK: West Midlands Interactive Map of Every Force & Every Candidate
Completely baffled as to what a Police & Crime Commissioner actually is? Well here we try to explain what they do, what they're in charge of and what it means for you , ahead of the second ever PCC election on May 5th.
Why the change to Police & Crime Commissioners in 2012 anyway?
The introduction of PCCs in 2012 was a controversial move, replacing Police Authorities with one elected figurehead holding all of the decision making power.
The role was designed to elect one person to be in charge of holding a force's Chief Constable to account, controlling the police budget, and setting out how to fight crime.
But despite being around for 3 and a half years, the reality today is very few people really know who they are or what they do.
In November 2012, Police & Crime Commissioners took over from each force having its own Police Authority, which were entirely scrapped.
The Police Authority was an independent committee made up of local councillors, magistrates and public servants, and had worked this way since 1964.
Those in favour of the new PCC system argue that it took much longer to get things done by a Police Authority - whereas giving one man or woman all the decision making power speeds things up.
Also it’s argued getting to vote for your PCC is now more democratic; previously the public did not get a say on who would join a Police Authority; they had to be nominated from within.
Okay, but what are PCCs actually in charge of?
Well they do exactly what the Police Authority did - which is to ensure an efficient and effective police force.
But again, it was hoped having the one figurehead would boost the image of the job needed to be done, with the role of the PCC thought of as a voice of the people, holding the police to account.
Overall, a PCC's aim is to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their force area.
Another massive part of the job is setting the multi-million pound police force budget - so holding the purse strings.
They must not however interfere with the day to day operational running of the force - that’s the job and jursidiction of a Chief Constable.
At the moment, under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:
secure an efficient and effective police for their area;
appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary dismiss them;
set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
set the force budget and determine the precept;
contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; and
bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to
make sure local priorities are joined up.
How might the role change and what are the criticisms?
One of the main criticisms of the PCC model is that it has brought party politics into the governance and running of the police.
In 2012, there were far more Independent PCCs, and even protest candidates, who stood to block political parties gaining control in certain places.
Some even campaigned on the notion that if they won, they would immediately abolish the position as soon as they took office.
But now second time around, it seems political parties have woken up to the influence and power winning a PCC position can bring, and in 2016 there are far fewer independents standing.
It is also very expensive to stand, with a £5,000 deposit required, and the large areas covered by each police force makes it very hard for those without party political help to effectively campaign.
Another concern is the growing number of responsibilities a PCC is taking on, with some regions looking at them also becoming responsible for holding the Fire Service to account too.
How will the elections take place and how will it work?
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 5 May 2016.
The election is being held under the Supplementary Vote system which is different from voting in General Elections or council elections.
When you get your ballot paper there are two columns for your first and second preference votes.
If no candidate gets more than half the votes then the top two candidates go through to a second round. The second preference votes from the eliminated candidates are then counted and allocated to the top two.
What about the future of the PCC role?
It’s hoped after the disastrous turnout last time, of around just 15% of the electorate nationally (Staffordshire has the lowest turnout in the country at 11.63%, and the West Midlands the second lowest with 11.96%), more of us will bother voting and be more engaged as to what a PCC actually is.
Those optimistic about the future of the PCC position think now it has been in place for 3 and a half years, voters will want to have their say on who takes control second time around, and will have thought about how they might want to see things in their police force done differently.
But those who slammed the process and organisation of the elections in 2012, like the Electoral Reform Society, aren't holding out much hope.What is certain is 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be elected for the second time across England and Wales on the 5th May 2016.
And regardless of how many ballots are cast, the power they will take on will be substantial, with the 41 chosen in 2012 becoming responsible for a combined police force area budget of £8 billion.