This website provides information on the election and the role of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
The Government have now confirmed that the Local, Combined Authority Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner elections that were due to take place on 7 May will now take place on 6 May 2021.
We are still awaiting additional advice and guidance from the Government and Electoral Commission on some of the practicalities. Returning Officers have been working on plans for these elections for a number of months and will ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure that candidates, agents and electors can access the democratic process appropriately.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 6 May 2021.
To vote for the West Midlands police area you must live in the West Midlands and be registered to vote by 19 April 2021. If you are over 18 and not registered to vote you can register to vote online. If you are already registered to vote at your address, you do not need to re-register specifically for this election. If you are unsure whether you need to register, you should contact your local Electoral Services Team.
Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are elected representatives, the PCC acts as your voice and holds the police force to account. PCCs ensure the police are answerable to the communities they serve. They have the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable.
PCCs do not run the police force at an operational level. Police and Crime Commissioners were elected for the first time in 2012. They replaced police authorities.
Every force area in England and Wales is represented by a PCC, except London and Manchester, where the responsibilities reside with the Mayor.
The West Midlands police force area covers – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are elected representatives, the PCC acts as your voice and holds the police force to account. PCCs ensure the police are answerable to the communities they serve. They have the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable.
PCCs do not run the police force at an operational level. Police and Crime Commissioners were elected for the first time in 2012. They replaced police authorities.
The core functions of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner:
Read more about the roles and responsibilities
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s salary is set by the Home Secretary. It is currently £100,000 per year in the West Midlands.
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act allows a PCC to appoint a Deputy PCC, but it is not a requirement. The Deputy PCC is classed as a member of the PCC’s staff, and the PCC sets their terms and conditions of employment. The role is to support and share the responsibilities and vision of the Police and Crime Commissioner and to help them implement and deliver his Police and Crime Plan. The PCC can delegate many of their functions to a Deputy PCC. Deputy PCCs are exempt from the restrictions on political activity that apply to other members of the PCC’s staff, and do not need to go through a recruitment process. However, they are subject to a confirmatory hearing by the Police and Crime Panel.
The law requires all Police and Crime Commissioners to produce a Police and Crime Plan within the first financial year after they are elected. A Police and Crime Plan can last for a PCC’s term of office or be renewed periodically.
The Police and Crime Plan must include:
The policing protocol describes the role and responsibilities of the PCC, the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Panel and the Home Secretary. It outlines what each does and how they are expected to work together. It seeks to define and protect the operational independence of Chief Constables.
The Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) sets out the national criminal threats facing the UK and the appropriate national policing capabilities required to counter those threats. Each PCC and Chief Constable must have regard to the SPR when making decisions about their force. PCCs and Chief Constables also have a duty to collaborate, requiring them to keep under review opportunities to work with other police forces and organisations.
The term of office for the PCC is four years, the postponement of the 2020 elections has not affected the term and the next election will be in May 2024.
