What do police authorities do on behalf of communities?
The police authority sets the strategic direction for the force and holds the chief constable to account on behalf of the local community. Delivering policing services is the job of the chief constable.
Ten things you need to know about your police authority
- Your police authority is a group of 17 local people (slightly more in some areas) who hold the police to account on behalf of communities.
- Your police authority consults with local communities to find out what you want from your local police.
- Your police authority’s job is to make sure that the Chief Constable (or Commissioner in London) delivers a police service which balances both national priorities and the concerns of local people.
- Your police authority hires and, if necessary, fires chief constables and senior police officers – and also checks on complaints against police.
- Your police authority publishes an annual plan, based on consultation with local people, setting out the services your police force should deliver in the year ahead, and the targets it should achieve.
- As part of the annual policing plan, your police authority sets employment targets to ensure your local police reflect the diversity of local communities.
- Your police authority holds the police budget. It consults with local people before it sets police council tax to ensure you get value for money.
- Your police authority has a legal duty to promote equalities and good relations between different groups of people. As part of this, it ensures people know their rights if they are stopped or searched by police.
- Around 10% of police authority members are from minority ethnic backgrounds and around 30% are women.
- Your police authority makes sure the police service does everything it can to keep improving policing for your community.
You can also download a pdf version here (30KB)
Statutorial Duties
The document here outlines the statutorial responsibilities held by your police authority.