Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting the Police and the People
On 26 July 2010 the Government published the above response consultation document, setting out its vision for policing and how it will cut crime, be more directly accountable to the public and offer value for money. This will, it proposes, be achieved by greater collaboration, the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), less Government intervention and bureacracy and more professional responsibility and judgement and a new policing and partnership landscape.
Policing in the 21st Century document
Durham Police Authority, has expressed concern at the introduction of PCCs, along with the Association of Police Authorities (APA) and others, specifically around the significant costs of holding elections, the politicisation of policing and the timing of elections. Further concerns are around the availability and workload of one PCC in comparison to the current seventeen local people who make up Durham Police Authority. Attached below is Durham Police Authority's response to the Government's consultation document, as well as other Home Office consultation responses:
DPA response to Policing in the 21st Century
Home Office consultation responses document
The Durham Model
'The Durham Model' was also sent to the Government in September 2010 for their consideration, along with the above consultation response, as Durham Police Authority's alternative proposal to PCCs:
The Durham Model_DPA proposal to the Government
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, which is attached below, received Royal Assent and was passed through Parliament on 15 September 2011. Parliament has produced a timeline of the progression of this legislation which is available on their website.
Durham Police Authority - Planning for Change
On 30 August 2011 the Authority hosted a workshop at the Town Hall, Durham about the introduction and handover to a Police and Crime Commissioner, and the impact this change may have on partner organisations e.g. Councils, Community Safety Partnerships (CSP), Police etc.
The four presentations from the workshop are provided below:
Key stakeholders and other interested organisations participated in the breakout sessions covering the following four themes:
- Community Safety Partnerships
- Police and Crime Plan
- Police & Crime Comissioner Powers
- Checks and Balances
View the Stakeholder Newsletter, which provides feedback and a summary of the event.
Ongoing work is being carried out through the Transition Project Board to enable an effective handover from the Police Authority to the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner on 15 November 2012.
Press releases regarding police reform
For details about press releases Durham Police Authority have issued to the local media in relation to PCCs, please visit our Latest News page.
National updates from the Home Office
You can view the Home Office website for national updates on police reform. PCC update bulletins are also available from the Home Office.