Engaging with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) Compact Voice July 2015

What is a Police and Crime Commissioner? There are 42 PCCs across England and Wales PCCs are responsible for holding the police to account, budgets and deciding and meeting the priorities for policing and reducing crime in the local area The first Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were elected in November 2012

Where are they? Conservative Labour Independent No Election Following the 2012 elections there are 38 PCCs in England The Mayor of London carries out the functions of the PCC in the capital The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) has an online tool for locating your PCC: your-pccwww.apccs.police.uk/find- your-pcc

What is the role of the PCC? PCCs are not simply a replacement for Police Authorities PCCS must work in partnership with ‘responsible authorities’ PCCs hold Community safety partnerships (CSPs) to account Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) usually include representatives from the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the probation service, the prison service and the PCC’s office

Other bodies linked to PCCs (1) The Chief constable Police and crime panels The National Probation Service Community Rehabilitation Companies Local Authorities Prisons

Engaging with PCCs (1) Identify your PCC, their local partnerships and key staff Get to know the PCC’s priorities and how these fit with your mission Identify the size of the PCC’s budget their funding opportunities Establish whether a signatory to local Compact

Engaging with PCCs (2) Build engagement at a strategic level Demonstrate you’re solving a problem the PCC cares about Choose the correct time to engage Highlight the strengths of the voluntary sector Don’t give up if progress is slow

Case study: Gloucestershire Police Authority wanted to stimulate debate with marginalised communities about the PCCs priorities and gather wider views on local policing and tackling crime GAVCA worked with the local Police bodies to enable the voluntary sector to feed into this process. Gloucestershire’s Compact Commissioning Code provides helpful guidance for the PCC

Case study: Positive Lifestyles Humberside PCC commissioned Catch 22, working in partnership with police, fire and rescue and youth offending teams Vulnerable young people are steered away from the criminal justice system and connected to their community Helps hard to reach young people develop the skills needed to access education, employment and training opportunities Photo courtesy of Dave Conner via

Case study: Avon and Somerset PCC’s VCS Charter A statement of commitment to a greater understanding between the PCC and its voluntary sector partners Consultation periods of no less than twelve weeks in commissioning plans Wide publicity of upcoming funding opportunities. Photo courtesy of Dave Conner via

Case study: Northants PCC Stop and Search Consultation Ran a consultation to gather the opinions and experiences of residents on stop and search powers Partnered with youth organisations partnered with youth organisations Allowed the PCC to engage with young people from a variety of backgrounds and environments Photo courtesy of Dave Conner via

How the Compact can help (1) The Compact establishes a way of working for the benefit of all parties leading to: Independence and the right to campaign Consulting with charities when developing policies Supporting charities to deliver projects and services Understanding the impact of changes to funding and other forms of support Protecting and considering disadvantaged groups

How the Compact can help (2) Statutory disclosures and register of meetings on PCC website PCC offices used for support VCS activities PCC to hold engagement and capacity building events Show how your work helps engage marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

Further information Practical guide to engaging with police and crime commissioners: es/guide_to_engaging_with_pccs.pdf es/guide_to_engaging_with_pccs.pdf Briefing on the Compact and police and crime commissioners: ngs-and-guidance/briefing-compact-and- police-and-crime-commissioners Compact Voice for advice and support: or visit the website Photo courtesy of Mark Morgan via