Welcome to the Association of Police Authorities
Call for PCCs' oath of office to build communities' confidence
APA Chair Christmas Message to Chairs, Board, CEX
As we all depart for a well-earned Christmas and New Year break following a year that no one would deny has been ‘eventful’ (!), I just wanted to wish you well and to thank you for your support and partnership over the last year and particularly in recent months since the police reform legislation was passed.
Following our transition seminar at Ryton last month I feel a real sense of momentum and drive as our transition planning becomes ever more immediate and pressing. At a national level we continue to secure changes that will help reflect our shared priorities across policies from Chief Officer appointments, Riots Damages and the developing shape of the National Crime Agency....to name but a few.
Meanwhile, as reports as recent as this week...the HMIC’s positive commendation of our response to the riots and disorder showed, our local work rightly continues to be recognised where it matters.
I hope that you and your team enjoy a very Happy Christmas, a restful break and every success for the New Year.
With very best wishes
Mark
Cllr Mark Burns-Williamson
APA Chair
Police Authority Chairs and Chief Executives have called on the Home Office to back the idea of newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners signing a public oath of office as one means of building public confidence in the new system of police oversight.
A joint letter, written by Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, chair of the APA, and Fraser Sampson, chair of APACE, to Policing Minister Nick Herbert on 12.01.12 said:
"You will be familiar with the concerns expressed by many stakeholder groups about the objectivity of PCCs in implementing their specific local policies within the overarching expectations of their wider public office. In other words how they will balance their manifesto with their mandate.
This balancing requirement, of course, applies to all individual holders of public office including police officers. One way in which this can be both signalled and achieved is by a requirement for individuals to swear and oath of office before taking up their role. It is our collective view that having such an oath for PCCs would provide a number of immediate and obvious benefits. First it would send a powerful message to their local communities, their partners and colleagues in the police service. Secondly it would remind successful candidates of the public expectations attending their accession to a responsible position and would commit them personally to meeting an appropriate standard of conduct. Finally the ceremony itself would be highly symbolic and mark a positive foundation for their administration, something that we believe will be of particular importance in the first tranche of elections.", more...