Monday 15th October 2012
 Next month will see elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire take place.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will be an elected representative, charged with securing efficient and effective policing of a police area.
The election is scheduled for November 15th, 2012, and once elected, the PCC will take over the current functions of the Police Authority.
Here are the details on the elections - and how they will affect local residents
Frequently asked questions on PCCs
When will the elections be held?
The elections of Police and Crime Commissioners across the country will be on 15th November 2012. Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in Derbyshire and is included on the electoral register will be eligible to vote for the PCC for Derbyshire.
When will the new PCC begin work?
The candidate elected on 15th November will take responsibility for policing in Derbyshire on 22 November.
What will the PCC do?
The PCC will take over the role of the Members of Derbyshire Police Authority. The PCC will have a statutory duty and electoral mandate to hold the police to account on behalf of the public.
The main duties of the PCC will be to:
- hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the people of Derbyshire;
- secure the effectiveness and efficiency of Derbyshire Constabulary;
- decide the budget, allocate assets and funds to the Chief Constable; and set the police council tax precept for the force area;
- set the strategic direction and objectives of the force through the Police and Crime Plan, which must have regard to the Strategic Policing Requirement set by the Home Secretary;
- prepare and issue an annual report on the PCC's delivery against the objectives set within the Plan;
- publish information to enable people to assess the performance of the PCC and Chief Constable;
- monitor all complaints made against officers and staff, whilst having responsibility for complaints against the Chief Constable; and
- appoint the Chief Constable.
In addition, the PCC will have duties not now covered by the Police Authority. These are:
- a specific responsibility for the delivery of community safety and crime reduction;
- the ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at the
force level;
- the ability to make crime and disorder reduction grants within their
force area;
- a duty to ensure that all collaboration agreements with other Local Policing Bodies and forces deliver better value for money or enhance the effectiveness of policing capabilities and resilience;
- a wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area.
Who will hold the PCC to account?
A Police and Crime Panel will be appointed to hold the Police and Crime Commissioner to account. The Panel will have a minimum of twelve and up to twenty members. Ten of them will be councillors drawn from local authorities in Derbyshire. Two will be independent members.
The Panel will review the Commissioner's police and crime plan and annual report. With a two-thirds majority of the whole panel, members will have the power to veto the commissioner's choice of Chief Constable, and the policing element of the council tax.
What will happen to Police Authority Members?
Derbyshire Police Authority will be abolished on 21st November 2012.
What will happen to Police Authority staff?
The current Police Authority staff will transfer to the PCC on 22nd November 2012 as part of a statutory transfer under an Act of Parliament.
What is being done to prepare for transition?
The Authority is working to leave a strong legacy which ensures the transfer is smooth and policing in Derbyshire continues to improve. A Transition Board has been set up to provide strategic oversight of the transition, manages the various workstreams and reviews progress. It is also providing information for potential PCC candidates, organising the transfer of staff and assets to the PCC and working to set up a Police and Crime Panel.
The Board has established a Transition Project Group which is responsible for delivering the work plan.
Who will stand for election as PCC in Derbyshire?
The Political parties are currently determining their candidates. Independent candidates can stand for election, but all candidates must provide a £5,000 deposit and 100 signatures of support. The deposit will be returned to them on condition that they poll more than 1,000 votes. All candidates have until Friday 19th October to declare their intentions to stand.
What will the PCC's salary be?
The salary for the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner will be £75,000 p.a. The salary was recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body and approved by the Home Secretary.
Will it be a full-time job?
The PCC will set his/her own working hours.
What will happen to police staff contracts?
At present all police staff are employed by the Police Authority. Their contracts will be transferred in two stages.
On 22nd November 2012, ALL police staff will transfer to the PCC as part of a statutory transfer. The PCC will then have until April 2014 to decide which police staff will transfer to the Chief Constable as part of a second stage transfer. The transfer arrangements will be made in consultation with the Chief Constable and approved by the Home Secretary.
For the first time, the Chief Constable will employ staff directly.
What difference will it make to police officers?
Police Officers will remain officers of the Crown, working under the direction and control of the Chief Constable.
What will happen to buildings and assets?
All buildings, land, vehicles and other assets will transfer from the Police Authority to the PCC on 22nd November. Liabilities, such as outstanding claims, will also be transferred.
What difference will the change make to the Chief Constable?
The Chief Constable will still be accountable to the law for the exercise of police powers and will retain direction and control over police officers, but will employ police staff. The Chief Constable will be accountable to the PCC for the delivery of efficient and effective policing, management of resources and spending. He will be politically independent of the PCC but must allow the PCC to have access to all necessary information and staff in the force.
Will it make a difference to partnership working?
PCCs have wider responsibilities than those relating to the police force. They will have a specific responsibility for the delivery of community safety. They will hold the budgets for, and be able to make, grants for measures to tackle crime and disorder and will commission these services from partners, the private or voluntary sector. PCCs will also have a wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice.
How can I get more information?
More information on PCCs is available on the Derbyshire Police Authority website policeauthority.derbyshire.police.uk and the Home Office website home.office.gov.uk
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