Who is responsible for setting the strategic direction and accountability for policing?

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is responsible for setting the strategic direction and ensuring accountability for policing in a specific area. This role is critically important, as PCCs are directly elected officials who represent the public's voice in policing matters. They develop police and crime plans, which outline the priorities for local policing and allocate budgets accordingly. This accountability aspect is crucial, as PCCs are tasked with ensuring that police forces operate effectively, efficiently, and in a manner that respects community needs and concerns.

While the Chief Constable is responsible for the operational management of the police force and the Home Secretary sets national policies and frameworks for law enforcement, it is the PCC who bridges local aspirations and priorities with the policing that is delivered on the ground. The Independent Office for Police Misconduct plays a different role, focusing on overseeing police complaints and ensuring accountability, but does not set strategic direction for policing. Hence, the PCC is rightly identified as the key figure in defining and steering the strategic direction of policing at a local level.