Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2021

The election of the Police and Crime Commissioner will take place on Thursday 6th May 2021.

In the period prior to the election, this area of our website will contain information which may be useful to potential candidates and members of the public regarding the election process, the role of Police and Crime Commissioners, relevant key documents and information for prospective candidates.

The Election Process

Who is organising the Election?
The Cabinet Office

Who will manage the Election?
The Chief Executive of Broxbourne Borough Council, Jeff Stack, has been appointed as the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) for Hertfordshire for the 2021 Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.

This means that Broxbourne wil be responsible for the nomination process for candidates and all election specific enquiries should be directed to the elections team through the main switchboard number: 01992 785555.

Where can I find the list of Candidates?
The list of candidates will be published at https://www.choosemypcc.org.uk.

How Do I Vote?
If you want to vote in these elections you need to be registered to vote. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote for further information.

The Role of Police and Crime Commissioners

PCCs have been elected by the public to hold the Chief Constable and the force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

PCCs 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.

Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:

secure an efficient and effective police service for their 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;
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.

Further detailed information on PCC powers and responsibilities is also available on the Home Office website.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescure Service has published a helpful summary of the role of PCCs.

Information for Prospective Candidates

What information will prospective candidates need?

Information and resources for Prospective Candidates and Agents can be found on The Electoral Commision website.

The guidance published on The Electoral Commission site is being updated for polls on 6 May 2021 and may therefore be updated at intervals.

What would bar a prospective candidate from standing for election or holding the office of Police and Crime Commssioner?
Potential Candidates should be discussed with the Police Area Returning Officer, Jeff Stack, as detailed above who is responsible for considering any matters.

Further information can be found in the section on Disqualification in The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Home Office Candidate Briefing Documents

The Home Office has published a series of briefing documents which PCC candidates may wish to view.

Other relevant documents for candidates

APCC candidate briefing

Independent Custody Volunteers Association candidate briefing 2021

PCC elections 7 force programme briefing

This website provides a wealth of information about the work of the PCC and the Office:

Specified Information Order
Holding the PCC to account
How the PCC gets things done
Property rights and contracts
Publications and policies
Police and Crime Panel
Holding the police to account
Finances and reserves
Decisions and meetings
OPCC staff
Partner organisations
Beacon: providing support for victims

Other relevant websites for candidates
Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
Association of Policing and Crime Chief Executives
Beacon Victim Care Centre
College of Policing
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel
Independent Custody Volunteers Association
Local Government Association
National Police Chiefs Council

Questions from Prospective Candidates

Responses to any questions asked by prospective candidates will be published here.

This page will be added to throughout the election period