Police and Crime Commissioner Elections: 2 May 2024

This website provides information on the election and the role of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Elections – 2 May 2024

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 2 May 2024.

There will be elections on 2 May 2024 for the Combined Authority Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner and in Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton there will also be local elections.

What is a Police and Crime Commissioner?

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) were introduced in November 2012, and are elected representatives. The Police Reform and Responsibility Act 2011 created a PCC within each force area.  In three areas of the country, London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, policing powers are held by the Metro Mayor.

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

What does a Police and Crime Commissioner do?

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.

The PCC ensures those who are in charge do a good job. . It is not the role of the PCC to get involved in operational policing, the chief constable retains direction and control of all police officers and staff.  However, the PCC decides what the force should be focusing on and the crimes it should prioritise. This detail is contained in the Police and Crime Plan.

The PCC sets the budget and has the power to raise or lower council tax. The PCC must also bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure organisations work together to fight crime and help victims.

The core functions of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner:

  • Ensuring the police deliver an efficient and effective police service for the area;
  • appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary dismiss them;
  • set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
  • set the force budget and determine the precept;
  • monitoring the police budget and ensuring it is spent efficiently
  • contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; and
  • bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up.
  • publishing an annual report that tells you if we are delivering the plan

Read more about the roles and responsibilities

A broader overview of the role of the PCC is available from the following:

Gov.uk – Police and Crime Commissioners

Association of PCCs – Role of the PCC

How much is the PCC paid?

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.

Is there a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner?

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.

What is the Police and Crime Plan?

The law requires all Police and Crime Commissioners to produce a Police and Crime Plan within the first financial year after they are elected.  It sets out the needs, priorities and objectives of the people of the in relation to policing, crime and criminal justice.  The Plan can last for a PCC’s term of office or be renewed periodically. It is used to hold the Chief Constable and the police service to account on behalf of the people.

The Police and Crime Plan must include:

  • The PCC’s police and crime objectives
  • The priorities for the Chief Constable
  • The resources the PCC will make available to the Chief Constable to provide policing
  • How the Chief Constable will report to the PCC about policing
  • How the Chief Constable’s performance will be measured
  • Information about any crime and disorder reduction grants to be made by the PCC, any conditions made.

What is the Policing Protocol?

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.

What is the Strategic Policing Requirement and collaboration with other forces?

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.

How long will the PCC be in office?

The term of office for the PCC is four years, after this election the PCC next election will be in May 2028.