ACPO comment on operational independence of policing and the role of police and crime commissioners

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde said:

“The introduction of police and crime commissioners represents probably the biggest change to policing since 1829. For the first time a directly elected person, in the majority of cases on a party ticket, is introduced into the British policing model. That is why appropriate checks and balances are vital to preserving the impartiality of policing, underlining the independence of the chief constable to take professional decisions about the best way of keeping people safe.

“Of course there are potentially tensions in the relationship and clear, regular and sensible communication will be key to making it work. The Government has taken account of the police service’s concerns about this substantial change and there is now both a protocol helping to define the two different roles and a strategic policing requirement focussing on important issues at national level. Within that framework, chiefs and PCCs should have conversations about how to deliver the best possible service to the local community, balanced with the difficult and increasing task of dealing with threats through national policing. PCCs will have the critical role of holding chiefs to account for their decisions, and we absolutely expect them to do so in a robust, rational and challenging way.”

Sir Hugh Orde spoke to the Murnaghan Programme on 12 February 2012 about the introduction of Policing and Crime Commissioners. A full transcript is below:

http://skynews.skypressoffice.co.uk/newstranscripts/murnaghan-120212-interview-sir-high-orde-president-acpo-elected-police-commissioners

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk