Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

The right hon. Lady is continuing to use the term ““policing powers”” in relation to the responsibilities of the police and crime commissioners. That is inaccurate and wrong. These individuals will not be ““policing””—they will be elected to hold the chief constable to account to ensure that the local voice is heard and that what local people want in policing is being undertaken. There will be checks and balances through the police and crime panels. She talks about politicians having a relationship with the chief constable in relation to operational independence. Politicians already have a relationship with the chief constable through the police authority.