On
15 November 2012, for the first time ever, the public across England
and Wales (excluding London) will be able to head to the polls to elect a
police and crime commissioner who will be accountable for how crime is
tackled in their police force areas.
Nick Herbert, the Minister for
Policing and Criminal Justice, says that 'The arrival of Police and
Crime Commissioners will be the most significant democratic reform of
policing in our lifetime.
'Communities will have a stronger
voice in how their streets are policed and will be able to turn to their
PCC to hold the police to account on their behalf.'
Police and
Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will aim to cut crime and deliver an
effective and efficient police service within their area.
To provide
stronger and more transparent accountability of the police, PCCs will be
elected by the public to hold chief constables and the police force to
account; effectively making the police answerable to the communities
they serve.
PCCs will
ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible, and will
improve local relationships through building confidence and restoring
trust. They will also work in partnership across a range of agencies at
local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to
preventing and reducing crime.
PCCs will
not be expected to run their local police, nor will they replace the
Chief Constable who will still be responsible for operational policing.
The role of the PCC is to be the voice of the people and hold the police
to account.
You can find out more about PCCs on the Home Office website
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/, by contacting Leicestershire Police Authority on 0116 229 8980 or visiting www.leics-pcc.org
Further information on the PCC role is available in the leaflet attached to this email.
Add these dates below to your diary, further details will be available soon.
Neighbourhoood Watch will be hosting two husting events where you will be able to question the PCC candidates who are standing for election on:
Monday 22 October, 7pm at De Montfort University
Tuesday 23 October, 7pm at The Museum, Oakham
