Role of PCC
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire is responsible for appointing the county's Chief Constable and holding them accountable for the way the local police force is run.
They are also in charge of setting the policing budget and council tax precept.
As well as working closely with the police, they work with a full range of other public services including health, social services, probation and other organisations that deal with a variety of issues related to crime, community safety or criminal justice.
They work to reduce crime, keep our communities safe and ensure that the criminal justice system works well.
Some key legal responsibilities of a PCC are to:
- Set the Hertfordshire’s policing budget and precept (the element of your council tax that pays for policing)
- Hold the Chief Constable to account for operational policing and commissioning services from him
- Work with local partners to prevent crime and re-offending
- Be the voice of the public and victims of crime
- Appoint and, if necessary, dismiss the Chief Constable
- Set a five year Police and Crime Plan and determine local policing priorities
The difference between the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable:
| Police and Crime Commissioner | Chief Constable |
| Makes sure the views and needs of residents and business are represented | Must deliver an effective police force and had direct control over officer and staff |
| Sets police priorities and decides police budget | Leads and makes decisions on all aspects of operational policing |
| Acts on behalf of the electorate to hold the Chief Constable to account | The most senior police officer in Hertfordshire |
| Sets the Council Tax Precept contribution to policing | Responsible for delivery of operational policing |
| Accountable to the public | Accountable to the PCC |
| Elected into office | Politically independent |
What an average day in Hertfordshire looks like for the Constabulary:
