Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assess how effectively Police and Crime Panels have exercised their powers of scrutiny over the decisions and actions of Police and Crime Commissioners in the past year.

The Government continually keeps under review how effectively Police and Crime Panels (PCPs) exercise their role in scrutinising and supporting the work of the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC).

In the last year, for example, the Government has acknowledged recommendations about the adequacy of PCP scrutiny and support functions made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in their Report- Tone from the Top: Leadership, Ethics and Accountability in Policing.

The Government is also currently consulting on the complaints process for PCPs when they seek to resolve non-criminal complaints made against the PCC. The proposed new process would be framed around the seven Nolan Principles (which form the basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders) and will enable PCPs to take forward complaints about a PCCs conduct and make recommendations about expected levels of behaviour.