Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are here to stay, but the Home Affairs Committee of MPs warns of a lack of competition for chief constable vacancies and the need for more transparency. Better transparency and accountability of PCCs should include a central register of PCCs interests and a centrally maintained list of PCC office costs, the committee says in a report.
Chair of the Committee, the Labour MP Keith Vaz, said: “PCCs are here to stay. A series of measures would consolidate their role and effectiveness in local communities. This must begin with a central register of PCCs interests and a centrally maintained list of PCC office costs, so they can be better scrutinised by their electorate. We did not anticipate that the creation of PCCs would have such a dramatic effect on the appointment of Chief Constables. The pool of talent in policing is in danger of drying up, with so few applications for the most senior jobs in Policing. PCCs must ensure applicants for Chief Constable roles have served at least two years in another Police Force at a senior rank, and not allow close working relationships with their Deputy Chief Constables to deter external applicants.
“We should take care not to burden newly elected office holders in May with too many additional responsibilities. They are already due to be given more powers for Fire and Rescue Services and police complaints, and an even broader remit on top of this may prove overwhelming and these proposals should be paused.”
PCCs who will be elected in May must prioritise consolidating the work of their predecessors before considering further expansions of their role and powers, according to the committee.
