Do we really know what happens in the office of Alison Hernandez, the elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall?

Let’s take a look...

The official line is: ‘The role of a Police and Crime Commissioner is to be the voice of the people in policing, and to hold the Chief Constable to account for how he/she discharges their functions. The aim of all PCCs is to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service within their force area.’

PCCs were created 10 years ago by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and replaced police authorities in England and Wales.

PCCs have to swear an oath of impartiality and chief constables remain operationally independent.

The PCC and Devon and Cornwall Police are two separate entities. The Commissioner is not the Chief Constable’s employer

The three core functions of a PCC are to appoint the chief constable (and remove them, if necessary), to set the budget and local policing priorities.

The PCC consults widely in order to ensure that the views and needs of residents and businesses are heard and used to inform how our police service operates

Additionally, they contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary and bring together community safety and criminal justice partners to ensure local priorities are joined up.

Their remit has expanded to include responsibility for commissioning the majority of victims’ services and the ability to take on governance of the local fire and rescue service. This has been implemented in Staffordshire, Essex, Northamptonshire and North Yorkshire.

There is now a review into the PCC role, a process that began last year but which is ongoing.

Minister Kit Malthouse MP has said the government ‘is committed to delivering on the people’s priorities to cut crime’ and as such intends to strengthen the role of PCCs.

The first stage of the review made recommendations to the Home Secretary on how to improve the accountability, scrutiny and transparency of the current PCC model.

Part two will examine further ways to strengthen and expand the role.

Working with the Ministry of Justice and Probation Service, the review will focus on Local Criminal Justice Boards, Community Safety Partnerships and Violence Reduction Units.

A ‘stakeholder consultation’ is planned.

The Review applies to all PCCs, including Police and Fire Commissioners (PFCCs) and Mayors exercising PCC functions but does not extend to wider mayoral functions.

Anyone can visit the web site of the PCC and find out what is happening locally.

At the time of writing I have yet to receive confirmation of the date this review will conclude and, in my opinion, some of the aspirations may be hard to fulfil locally.

I’m concerned that the expectations of residents and businesses may not be met by the resources given to the police.

In our area one of the most frequently expressed frustrations is about a lack of officers seen on our streets. Although the review highlights the need for visibility to be returned, unless more resources are available then I cannot see this happening.

Another concern is that the review states each area should have a nominated police officer to whom people can communicate their concerns. Seeing the size of Newton Abbot and its anticipated growth, an officer of this standing would almost certainly find an overwhelming response, which I fear again would leave residents and businesses feeling let down.

The review also indicates a possible extension to the role of the PCC by giving them responsibility for the fire service. Locally this is a concern,as here in the far South West police and fire service boundaries differ.

I feel that our PCC should concentrate on the challenges that Devon and Cornwall force area provides before any expansion of the role

Maybe I’m being too pessimistic but past experiences have shown that unfortunately not all expectations are likely to be met.

However, my expectations of the police advocacy initiative have been exceeded and I believe this is down to an understanding and working partnership with local officers and other advocates within the area.

There, I’ve ended on a positive note, perhaps the review will yield some positive changes after all.