Member News
The Local Government Association's vice chair has told a Commons committee that the government's plans for elected police and crime commissioners are "dangerous for policing".
Richard Kemp rejected the proposals out of hand but conceded that the current system of police authorities does not work effectively.
He suggested a new multi-agency approach between the police, local authorities and other "portfolio holders for public safety" work together.
Kemp said in his own city of Liverpool the council works with the police on five different levels in an attempt to ensure they remain responsive to local needs.
The local authority holds forums with all public services, because a range of agencies are needed to solve problems. He stressed the need for "operational interdependence" via an over-arching strategic body.
Kemp claimed PCCs could make the situation worse and do not match the spirit of localism espoused by the coalition.
David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North) asked why London, where the Mayor also heads the police authority, is an exception.
Kemp replied that in fact there is a lot of similarity with Merseyside, where there is lots of work at the basic command unit/ward level.
For many councillors, their closest working relationships are with the police, he added.
He said he was pleased the previous government dropped its plans for elected commissioners and hoped he would be able to successfully lobby on these proposals.
Alun Michael (Lab, Cardiff South and Penarth), a former home office minister, asked how the government's plans will affect local crime and disorder reduction partnerships, which he introduced.
Kemp said some elements of the current system are working well and those partnerships are very powerful and effective. At the strategic level, he said a council cabinet member and even a local councillor can "get more done" by talking directly to local police leaders than they could as a member of the police authority.
He pointed out the difference in size of police areas - some are around half a million people, but others are 2.5m people or more, bigger than Northern Ireland, which has its own justice minister.
While PCCs may work in smaller areas, they will not work in conurbations where people are concerned about crime in their street, not the city as a whole, he added.
Kemp predicted that all elected commissioners will be from the three main political parties, as they will need a machine to get elected.
In his evidence to the Commons home affairs committee Sir Hugh Orde, chair of Acpo, said he is "waiting for detail" from the government on how the PCCs will work, despite the fact that a bill is expected to be published by the end of the year.
He pointed out that ministers had received more than 900 submissions in their consultation, including one from ACPO.
Orde said police chiefs take "bottom-up, neighbourhood policing" very seriously, while PCCs are part of a "top down" strategic approach.
He said that national security, terrorism and serious and organised crime will have to be a central responsibility.
On operational independence, Orde stressed that at present police authorities and senior officers work well together - the authority draws up the policing plan and budget and the chief constable is responsible for deciding how best to protect the public. Most issues are dealt with through "sensible conversations".
There is no reason why PCCs would have a combative relationship with councillors or the board that will be in place to oversee their work, he added.
Adrian Burley (Con, Cannock Chase) said balancing resources is a political judgement that PCCs will have to make. He expressed concern that could impinge on operational independence if he or she takes a different view of the priorities from the chief constable.
Orde said 99.9 per cent of disputes between police authorities and chief officers are resolved without acrimony, but admitted there could be a "huge issue" if PCCs do try to give specific orders.
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