Why I think PCCs do a valuable job
Alison Hernandez defends her role in the light of a planned government review
IHAVE now represented residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for more than four years, and have been extremely privileged to do so. One of the best parts of the job is getting out and meeting people.
I’ve spent a lot of time online hosting ‘Teams’ calls since Covid19 precautions came in place and although the screen time is necessary, there’s nothing I like more than the opportunity to meet residents face to face – albeit within the limitations of the current social distancing restrictions – to talk about policing and our work to build stronger and safer communities. On Thursday I had the chance to do exactly that when we promoted our Vision Zero road safety strategy. I took in stops in Exeter, Paignton, Plymouth and Bodmin to discuss the major challenges we face and how we’re working with the likes of the air ambulance trusts, councils and hospitals to make an absolutely necessary step change in order to reduce the amount of tragedy linked to road deaths.
Although more people are aware of the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner than they were when I took office it was clear on a sunny September morning that there’s still a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the role. Commissioners replaced police authorities in 2012 and were designed to be more visible and accountable than those authorities, as well as costing less to run.
Now the Government has decided to launch a review of police and crime commissioners, to assess what is working, whether the powers are being used effectively and perhaps where democratically accountable commissioners should get more powers, such as taking on responsibility for fire service governance. A lot of those I speak to understand that I, in consultation with our communities, set the strategic direction of the force, and because I regularly talk about setting the budget and council tax precept, a fair few know about that. Fewer perhaps understand our work outside policing.
In our submission to the consultation we’ve underlined some areas where our office and influence has really contributed towards making a tangible and positive difference to people’s lives. Initially my office heard the message loud and clear that communities wanted more police officers. Before the Government pledged a year ago to increase police officer numbers in England and Wales we, and our taxpayers, had already embarked on a programme of expanding the force. In our current financial year we have a budget for 3,241 officers, up from 2,924 in 2016/17.
This year’s Summer Safety Scheme marshal service is another tangible example of our work in action. Over the past four years we have been working hard to strengthen the bonds between our police force and the communities they serve under a police and crime plan that has connectivity at its heart. We now have around 220 councillor advocates, local councillors who have regular meetings with their neighbourhood inspectors and who can work together to solve people’s most pressing concerns. These are assisted and supported by a network of community engagement workers employed by my office.
Engagement with the public, through this network but also through surveys, polls and meetings, has been vital in helping me understand your policing priorities and attitudes to major decisions, such as the proposed merger with Dorset Police that I felt there was little public support for.
It is part of an ongoing conversation I have with you. This week your opinions are helping me to argue for greater resources to be placed in roads policing through a survey which around 20,000 people have completed (around 4,000 of those are from Devon and Cornwall).
I also fund community safety partnerships which work on solving local problems together with communities, and pull together organisations to work at a regional level, such as the South West Peninsula Road Safety Partnership.
I accept the Police and Crime Commissioner model is not perfect, and is working better in some areas than others. But in terms of improving direct accountability I believe it has delivered. Anyone wanting to see that accountability in action should tune into our Police and Crime Panel webcasts. These quarterly meetings give panel members – councillors from around Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – the chance to scrutinise and challenge my decisions.
The next panel meeting, this Friday, can be followed online here: www.plymouth.gov.uk/councillorscommitteesandmeetings/devonandcornwallpoliceandcrimepanel. Anyone who has not yet taken part in the road safety survey and who wishes to have their say should do so A link to the survey can be found on my website www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk.
Alison Hernandez is the Devon and Cornwall PCC.