219. who chose the sheriff

7/31/2019 219. Who Chose the Sheriff

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TomGash&AkashPaun

AnideaspaperFindingqualitycandidatesforthepoliceandcrimecommissioner

elections

WHOCHOSETHESHERIFF?


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1.SummaryAyearfromnow,inNovember2012,electionswillbeheldacrossEnglandandWalestoelectPoliceand

CrimeCommissioners

(PCCs)

to

oversee

each

of

the

41

police

forces

outside

Greater

London.

The

recent

creationofthesepostswasnotwithoutcontroversybut,whatevertheirmerits,PCCsarecomingsoon

toapoliceareanearyou.

ThesuccessofPCCswilldependheavilyonthequalityofcandidatesthatcomeforwardtotakeupthese

positions.However,withPCCelectionsjustayearaway,thepartiesdonotappeartohavedecidedhow

theywillselectcandidatesoreveninsomecaseswhethertheywillfieldcandidatesatall.Whileall

partiesagreethattheywouldbehappyforstrongindependentcandidatestocomeforward,italso

appearsthatfewconcretestepshavebeentakentoensurethatindependentswillstand.

Thisisworrying,notleastbecausehighcalibrecandidatesareurgentlyneededtomotivatevotersto

turnoutattheballotbox.PublicawarenessofPCCsiscurrentlylow,witharecentpollfindingthatonly

27%ofadultsknowthatPCCelectionsareplanned.AndthestandaloneelectiondateofNovember2012

threatenstoreducevoterturnout,despitethesignificantpowersthatPCCswillhold,potentially

underminingthePCCsindividualmandatesandeventhelegitimacyoftheofficeitself.

InturningtotheurgentquestionofPCCcandidateselection,governmentandthepartiesfaceasetof

complexandunfamiliarchallenges.Theseareentirelynewpostsandthereisnotyetclarityontheskills

thatcandidateswillrequire.TheroleofPCCisaninherentlypolitical,thoughnotnecessarilyaparty

political,post.Itwillthereforerequireaslightlydifferentsetofcompetenciestoparliamentaryorlocal

councillorroles,andassessmentprocesseswillneedtoreflectthis.Specifically,candidateswillneeda

higherdegreeofcompetenceinorganisationalandbudgetmanagementbutinternalpartypoliticalskills

maybecomelesscriticalforsuccess.

PCCswillalsobeelectedinanewpoliticalgeographywithwhichthepartiesarenotfamiliarandfor

whichcandidateselectionprocessesarenotdefined.Votersandthemediaarealsounfamiliarwith

politicalcampaigningatthelevelofpoliceareas.

Further,sincePCCswillbesolepersonexecutivefigures,itisimpossibletoensurethatthereisdiverse

representationinanyparticularareaintermsofgenderandethnicity.

ThispaperisnottheproductofamajorresearchprojectintoPCCs,andconsequently,wedonot

presumetohavedefinitiveanswerstothesecomplexchallenges.However,below,wesetouteleven

provisionalrecommendationsforthepartiesandgovernmenttoconsider.Theserecommendations

focusonwideningthepoolofcandidates,ensuringthatdiverseandhighqualitycandidatesare

selected,and

building

transparency

and

wider

public

involvement

into

party

selection

processes.

We

hopethattheseideasaredebatedamongthosewhowillultimatelydecidehowthecandidatesforthe

41PCCjobswillbechosenand,asimportantly,thattheystimulatepromptaction.

Wideningthepoolofcandidates1. ThepartyleadersshouldissueanopencallforapplicationstobecomePCCcandidates,including

frompeoplewithnopartypoliticalbackgroundbutwithotherrelevantskillsandexperience,who

couldthenrununderapartybanner.


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2. Asanadditionalwayoffindingcandidates,anarmslengthorthirdsectorbodysuchasHMIC,LGAortheAssociationofPoliceAuthoritiesshouldmanageaheadhuntingprocesstofindcandidates

basedonrolerequirementsandcriteriaagreedacrossparties.Thoseidentifiedmightthenchoose

tostand

as

independents

or

to

apply

to

party

selection

processes.

Ensuringqualityanddiversity3. Partiesshouldbuildahighdegreeoftransparencyintotheirselectionprocesses,publishingaclear

setofcriteriaanddetailsoftheassessmentandselectionprocessestobeused.Partiesmight

requireapplicantstosubmitanopenapplicationstatement(inwrittenand/orvideoform),which

wouldbepublishedonline.

4. PartiesshouldbuildonexistingcompetencybasedassessmentprocessesforMPstoassessaspiringPCCs.However,rolespecificelementsshouldbeincluded,toensurecandidateshavetherequisite

managementskillsandbasicknowledgeofpolicingandcrimeissuesinthelocalarea.Thesecould

bedevised

at

across

party

level

by

the

same

independent

body

that

carries

out

the

headhunting.

5. Partyleadersandheadquartersshouldtakealeadindevisingcandidateselectionandassessmentprocessesbutactualshortlistingandselectionshouldtakeplaceatthelocallevel,toreflectthelocal

natureoftherole.Thiswillrequirebespokepartystructuresatthepoliceareatier.

6. Partiesshouldconsiderdiversityrequirementsforlocalcandidateshortlists,takingintoaccountgenderandtheethniccommunitybalanceoftheareainquestion.

7. TheElectoralCommissionshouldprovideproactivebriefingandtrainingforPCCcandidates,includingindependents,ontheelectioncampaignandelectionitself.

Engagingthe

public

8. Thepartiesshouldconsiderinvolvingnonpartymembersintheselectionprocess,forinstance

throughpublichustingsforshortlistedcandidates.Also,localprofessionalandcommunity

representativesmightbeinvitedtointerviewcandidatesinpublic.

9. Wherepartieshavetwoormorestrongcandidates,andparticularinareaswheretheyarereasonablyconfidentofelectoralsuccess,considerationshouldbegiventotheuseofprimary

elections,wherenonpartymembersdirectlyparticipateinselection,astrialledbytheConservative

Partyforparliamentaryselectionprocessesbeforethe2010election.

10.Giventhehighcostsofpostalprimaryelections,creativewaystoreducecostswouldbeneeded.Votersmightberequiredtopayfortheirownpostageinreturningtheballot,orcouldbeofferedan

onlinevotingoption.Eachpartymightatleasttrialaprimaryelectioninasingleareawheretheyare

likelytowintheelection.

Fundingbettercandidateselectionprocesses11.Additionalgovernmentfundsareunlikelytobeforthcomingforheadhunting,assessment,training

orprimaryelections.However,around4millionextrafundingcouldbefoundoverthePCCsfour

yeartermbyreducingPCCsalariestobetween65,000and100,000inlinewiththe

recommendationsoftheSeniorSalariesReviewBody.


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2.AimsThisshortpaperaddressesthequestionnotofwhetherPCCsareasensibleidea,butofhowcandidates

forthe

PCC

elections

should

be

selected.

Specifically,

our

paper

has

three

aims:

ToraiseawarenessofthefactthatPCCsareontheirway,withinthepartiesandamongthewiderpublicandmedia.

TothinkthroughthequestionsandchallengesthatneedtobeaddressedbetweennowandthePCCelectionsnextNovemberinthecandidateselectionprocess.

TosetoutsomeprovisionalrecommendationsforwhatthepartiesandtheGovernmentcoulddoateachstageoftheprocess,andtoprovidesomeassessmentofthetradeoffsinvolved.

3.BackgroundTheroleofpoliceandcrimecommissionersOn15September2011,thePoliceReformandSocialResponsibilityActbecamelaw.Thecentrepieceof

thebillandthesourceofmuchdebateduringtheBillstenmonthjourneythroughParliamentisthe

introductionofPoliceandCrimeCommissioners(PCCs),alongstandingConservativePartypolicyanda

jointlyagreedcommitmentwiththeLiberalDemocrats,assetoutintheProgrammeforGovernment.

ThesenewelectedpostholderswillbeintroducedinEnglandandWales41policeareasoutsideof

London(seeappendixA).Inthecapitalitself,theMayororhisappointeewilleffectivelyperformthe

PCCrole.AccordingtotheHomeOffice,leaddepartmentforthepolicy,thePCCswillsetandshapethe

strategicobjectivesoftheirforceareaandwillholdtherelevantchiefconstabletoaccountfortheperformanceoftheirroleandtheperformanceofthepoliceforceoverall.1

PCCswilltakeonfunctionsoftheabolishedpoliceauthoritiesofEnglandandWalesandwillhave

significantformalandinformalpowers,includingtherightsto:

Setthepolicebudget,basedonreceiptsfromthenationalgrantandthepoliceprecept(partoflocalcounciltaxation)

Varythepolicepreceptwithinagreedconstraints Setthepoliceareastrategicdirection Appointand(wherenecessary)dismissthepoliceforcechiefconstable Beconsulted(bythechiefconstable)onDetectiveChiefConstableandAssistantChiefConstable

appointments.

Inaddition,PCCswillhaveobligationsto:

1PoliceandCrimeCommissioners,HomeOfficewebsite,November2011.At:www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/policecrime

commissioners/
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/


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drivecommunitysafetyandoverallsecurityinthearea workwithlocalpartnershipsandnationalandregionalcriminaljusticeagenciesandservices buildandfosterrelationshipswiththechiefconstableandcommunitygroupstoachieve

commongoals

contributetonationalpolicingcapabilities.2Policeareachiefconstableswillretainresponsibilityfor(andautonomyover)operationalpolicing

decisionsandtherearesignificantchecksandbalancesonthePCCspowersoverlocalpolicing.Aswell

asbeingaccountabletotheHomeSecretaryforeffortstosupportnationalpolicingobjectives,PCCs

mustanswerfortheirdecisionsandactionstonewPoliceandCrimePanels(PCPs),whichwillcomprise

aminimumoftencouncillorsrepresentingcouncilswithinthepoliceareaandtwoindependentco

optees.PoliceandCrimePanelswillhavetherightofvetobytwothirdsmajorityoverPCCproposalson

theforcepreceptandovertheappointmentofthechiefconstable.3

Outsidethese

facts,

the

precise

nature

of

the

PCC

role

has

not,

however,

been

specified

in

great

detail.

ThisisadeliberatechoicebytheGovernmentnottoshackleCommissionerswithrealmsofguidance

andprescriptionontheirroletoensurethattheirlocalfocuswillbelargelydeterminedbythe

public.4 FurtherguidanceontherolesandresponsibilitiesofPCCsisduetobepublishedshortly,

however.

DiscussionsarealsoongoingoverthelevelofPCCpay,whichwillbesetbytheHomeSecretaryandwill

beaclearfactorinwhichcandidatescomeforward.Initially,theHomeOfficesetasideanannualbudget

ofaround5millionforPCCsalaries,withearlystatementssuggestingthatPCCscouldbepaidover

120,000insomeareas.5However,inNovember2011,theSeniorSalariesReviewBodysuggestedthat

salariesshouldbeintheregionof65,000and100,000peryeardependingonthescaleofthepolice

forcearea

being

overseen

and

regional

pay

variations.

This

would

mean

an

annual

salary

bill

for

PCCs

of

4million,around1millionlessthancurrentlybudgeted.6TransitionplanningTheGovernmentisplanningarangeofactivitiestosupportthetransitiontoPCCsandaccompanying

governancereforms.AnationallevelTransitionsTeamhasalreadybeensetupcomprisingleading

figuresfromUKpolicingbodiesandseniorgovernmentofficials,andtheHomeOfficehasannounced

furtherstepstoensureasmoothmigrationtothenewmodel,including:

2PoliceandCrimeCommissioners,HomeOfficewebsite,November2011.At:www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/policecrime

commissioners/3PoliceandCrimeCommissionersUpdateNo.2,HomeOffice,September2011,p.2.At:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/policecrimecommsbulletin/pccbulletin2?view=Binary4

HomeOffice,(2010),Policinginthe21stCentury:Reconnectingpoliceandthepeople,Cm7925(TheStationeryOffice

Limited;London).RetrievedonlineonNovember17th,2011at:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing21stcentury/policing21stfullpdf?view=Binary5130mElectedPoliceChiefs'ValueForMoney'inSkyNews,1December2010.At:

http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/158439636Electedpolicecommissionersshouldbepaidupto100,000accordingtoreviewbodyinTheGuardian,3November2011.At:

www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/electedpolicecommissionerspaidreview?newsfeed=true
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/03/elected-police-commissioners-paid-review?newsfeed=truehttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/policing-21st-century/policing-21st-full-pdf?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/


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TheprovisionoffundingforthelocalauthoritywhowillleadonthesetupofeachareasPoliceandCrimePanel

Deepdivesinautumn2011,duringwhichtheWestMidlands,WestYorkshire,LeicestershireandSouthWalesareaswillconductdetailedanalysisoftheimpactofthePCC

policylocally.Deepdiveswillmapissues,thechangingpartnershiplandscape,howthePCC

mayoperateinpracticeandwhatthismightmeanforthepoliceandtheirpartners.

Engagementeventsinspring2012.Theseevents,whichwilldrawonfindingsfromdeepdives,willprovidefurtherdetailonthePCCandPCPpolicyaswellasaspaceforpartners

toconsiderwhatactiontheyneedtotakelocallypreparefortheupcomingchanges.7

AnumberofthesestrandswilltouchontheimportanceofensuringthatPCCscometotheirnewroles

withasufficientunderstandingofthetasksaheadofthem,andsufficientsupporttomakeapositive

contribution.ButthefirststepinensuringthatPCCsaresetuptomakeadifferenceistheidentification

andselection

of

strong

PCC

candidates.

Little

has

been

written

about

this

process,

despite

the

fact

that,

asaresearchreportfromDeloitteconcluded,SuchisthepoweroftherolethataPCCspersonalstyle

maysignificantlyinfluencethegovernancestructuresandprocessesaroundthem.8

ThePCCelectionsThefirstelectionsforPCCswilltakeplaceon15November2012.Thisisachangefromtheoriginally

proposedtimetable,whichpromisedthatthefirstPCCelectionswouldtakeplaceinMay2012made,

accordingtotheHomeOffice,onthegroundsthatthedelaywouldensurebestpossibleadministration

ofelectionsandallowgoodqualityindependentcandidatestobenefitfromtheadditionaltimetoplan

andcampaign.9Thechange,however,alsoreflectsapoliticalcompromise,withtheLiberalDemocrats

requestingthattheelectionsbemovedsoasnottoclashwithlocalcouncilelections.Theextracostsof

holdingthe

elections

on

aseparate

date,

rather

than

alongside

the

local

elections

as

originally

planned,

hasbeenestimatedat25million.

VotinginthePCCelectionswilltakeplaceunderthesupplementaryvotesystem(asusedintheLondon

mayoralelections)assumingtherearethreeormorecandidates(ifnot,thenthesimplemajoritysystem

willapply).Theelectoralsystemshouldensurethatsuccessfulcandidateswinthebackingofover50%

ofvoters.However,sincetheSupplementaryVoteisnotusedinanyelectionsatpresentacrossmostof

thecountry,thereisapotentialriskofvoterconfusionabouttheprocess.PCCswillbeelectedforfixed

fouryearterms,althoughtheunderstandingisthatthefirsttermwillbethreeandahalfyearslong,so

thatfuturePCCelectionsdocoincidewithlocalelectionsasoriginallyplanned.

TheHomeOfficeisresponsibleforpublicisingthefactthatPCCsarecomingintoexistence,andfor

encouragingcandidatestocomeforward,whichithasstartedtodoviaitswebsite.TheElectoral

7PoliceandCrimeCommissionersUpdateNo.2,HomeOffice,September2011,p.3.At:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/policecrimecommsbulletin/pccbulletin2?view=Binary8Deloitte,(2011),Negotiatingthebill.TheintroductionofPoliceandCrimeCommissionersinEnglandandWales,p.4,Deloitte

researchpaper.At:www.deloitte.com/assets/DcomUnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/ukgps

negotiatingthebill.pdf9PoliceandCrimeCommissionersUpdateNo.2,HomeOffice,September2011,p.1.At:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/policecrimecommsbulletin/pccbulletin2?view=Binary
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binaryhttp://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/GPS/uk-gps-negotiating-the-bill.pdfhttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/police-crime-comms-bulletin/pcc-bulletin-2?view=Binary


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Commissionwillregulatetheconductoftheelectionitself.Ithasnoformalroleinpartycandidate

selectionprocessesforPCCsbutitshould,accordingtothe2011Act,Takesuchstepsasitconsiders

appropriatetoraisepublicawarenessabouttheelectionandhowtovoteinit.10

TheGovernmentisfundingtheconductoftheelectionsbutisnotcurrentlyplanningtoprovide

additionalstatesupporttopartiesinordertocovereithercandidateselectionorelectionexpenses.The

Governmentis,however,grantedstatutorypowersbythePoliceReformandSocialResponsibilityActto

makeprovisionastotheconductofelectionsofpersonstobepoliceandcrimecommissionersand

specificallyregardingfundingandexpenditure,inrelationtoelectionsofpoliceandcrime

commissioners,ofcandidates,politicalpartiesandotherpersonsincurringsuchexpenditure.11This

meansthatwhilecandidatesand/ortheirpoliticalpartiesmustcurrentlysecurefundingtosupporttheir

campaignsfromwithinexistingresources,itremainspossibleforthestatetoprovideadditionalfinancial

supportforcandidates,shouldthisbedeemednecessary.

4.ChallengesforPCCcandidateselectionThecandidateswhoruntobecomepoliceandcrimecommissionerswillneedtobeofthehighest

calibre.They'llneedtoinspiretheirelectorate.12(TheresaMay,HomeSecretary,October2011)

"Itislikelythatwewillfieldcandidateshowever,nodecisionshavebeentaken."

(VernonCoakerMP,ShadowPolicingMinister,27September2011)13

TheFederalPartywillnotprovideanyfinancialresourcestosupportcandidatesintheseelections,

andthereisapresumptionagainstLiberalDemocratcandidatesstanding.Asanalternative,

individualLiberalDemocratsmaysupportnonpartypoliticalcandidates.

(Jonathan

Davies,

Chair

of

the

English

Party,

Liberal

Democrats,

November

2011)

14

Theselectionofcandidatesforelectionisfrequentlyadivisivematterwithinpoliticalparties.Andyet,

giventheprevalenceofsafeseatsinBritishelections,itisveryoftenatthecandidateselectionstage

withinparties,ratherthanonpollingdayitself,thattheresultoftheelectionisineffectdecided.

Consequently,aswediscussinourrecentreportontheselectionofparliamentarycandidates,all

partieshaveintroducednumerousreformsintotheirselectionprocessesinrecentyears,with

innovationsrangingfromallwomenshortlists,genderquotas,theConservativeAListandprimary

elections.15Inreformingtheirprocesses,partieshavesoughttoimprovethediversityoftheir

candidates,toengagethepublic,andtoensurethatsuccessfulcandidateshavetherequisiteskillsand

competences,whileavoidingdisruptiveconflictbetweenthecentralandlocalpartytiers.Throughthis

10PoliceReformandSocialResponsibilityAct2011,HousesofParliament,September2011,chapter6,53,p.37.At:

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htm11

PoliceReformandSocialResponsibilityAct2011,HousesofParliament,September2011,chapter6,58,p.40.At:

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htm12

TheresaMay,SpeechtoConservativePartyConference,inePolitix.com,4October2011.At:

www.epolitix.com/policy/energyenvironment/energyarticle/newsarticle/speechinfulltheresamay1/13

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labourconference2011livecoverage?CMP=twt_fd14

www.libdemvoice.org/opinionwhatnextforelectedpolicecommissioners25791.html15

ThesereformsarediscussedintheInstituteforGovermentsrecentreportoncandidateselection:RhysWilliamsandAkash

Paun,PartyPeople:Howdoandhowshouldthepoliticalpartiesselecttheirparliamentarycandidates?(November2011),

availableat:www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/49/partypeople
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htmhttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htmhttp://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/49/party-peoplehttp://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/49/party-peoplehttp://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/49/party-peoplehttp://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/49/party-peoplehttp://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-what-next-for-elected-police-commissioners-25791.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/27/labour-conference-2011-live-coverage?CMP=twt_fdhttp://www.epolitix.com/policy/energy-environment/energy-article/newsarticle/speech-in-full-theresa-may-1/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htmhttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/511/51106.htm


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8

reformprocess,thepartieshavefoundthatthereisacomplexsetoftradeoffsbetweentheirvarious

goalsforcandidateselection,andthatnosystemcandelivereverythingatonce.

Almostall

of

these

challenges

apply

for

PCCs

too.

But

our

research

and

interviews

highlights

that

identifyingandselectingsuitablecandidatesforthesenewpoliticalpostspositsasetofspecificnew

challengesthatmustalsobeovercome.

First,theintroductionofPCCswasahighlycontestedpolicyinthefirstplace.OnlytheConservatives

hadthepolicyintheirmanifesto;LiberalDemocratbackinghasbeenlukewarmatbest;whileLabour,as

wellassmallerpartiessuchasPlaidCymruandGreens,haveflatlyopposedthepolicy,fearing

politicisationofthepoliceaswellasarguingthatthepolicyisawasteofmoney.Consequently,withthe

legislationnowenacted,thepartieshavevaryingdegreesofcommitmentandinterestincompetingfor

theelections.

Atpresent,noneofthepartieshavedecideduponthemostappropriateapproachforselecting

candidatesand

contesting

elections,

or

even

whether

to

put

up

party

political

candidates

at

all.

At

the

timeofwriting,boththeLabourandConservativePartiesappearlikelytofieldcandidatesinsomeareas

atleast,thoughbothpartieshavealsoexpressedawillingnesstoconsidersteppingasideandsupporting

nonpartymembersasindependentcandidatesinspecificareas.1617AttheConservativeParty

ConferenceinOctober2011TheresaMayannouncedthefirstpersontoputthemselvesforwardasa

ConservativePartycandidateasbeingColonelTimCollins,anIraqwarveteran.Butsincethen,nonames

ofcandidateshavebeenannouncedbyanyoftheparties.Instead,oneintervieweesuggestedtous,the

partiesappeartobeengagedinstandoff,waitingtoseewhomovesfirstbeforeresponding.

AsfortheLiberalDemocrats,itappearsthattheyareunlikelytocontestasignificantnumberofPolice

andCrimeCommissionerelections.On2November,thepartysFederalExecutivecommunicatedthe

decisionthattheFederalPartywillnotprovideanyfinancialresourcestosupportcandidatesinthese

elections,andthatthereisapresumptionagainstLiberalDemocratcandidatesstanding.Asanalternative,individualLiberalDemocratsmaysupportnonpartypoliticalcandidates.Thisisa

continuationoftheviewthatLiberalDemocratsingovernmentandparliamenthavebeenexpressingas

thelegislationhasgonethroughWestminster:thatwhilsteffectiveaccountabilityofthepoliceis

essential,itisimperativethatoperationalpolicingdoesnotbecomeapoliticalfootball.18However,

thereisanongoingdebatewithinthepartyaboutwhetherthisistherightwayforward,andmanyparty

activistsarekeenthatcandidateswithapartypoliticallabeldostand.

Second,thereareadditionalcomplicationscreatedbytherestrictionsimposedbythePoliceandSocial

ResponsibilityActonwhocanstandforelection.Manyoftheregulationsarestandardformostelected

posts:candidatesmustbeover18andaBritish,IrishorCommonwealthcitizen;andmaynotbea

currentMP,

or

member

of

the

police,

civil

service,

armed

forces

or

judiciary.

But

in

addition,

the

legislationrequiresthatcandidatesareresidentintheelectoralareaatthetimeofnominationandon

electiondayitself.

16www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labourboycottpoliceelectionsyvettecooper

17http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/shouldthepartyruncandidatesforelectionaspolice

commissioners.html18

EmailfromJonathanDavies,HeadoftheEnglishParty,toallLiberalDemocratPartyMembers,2November2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooperhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/should-the-party-run-candidates-for-election-as-police-commissioners.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/27/labour-boycott-police-elections-yvette-cooper


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9

ThisresidencyrestrictionrulesoutanyonebasedinLondon,whichincludesmanyseniorfiguresinall

parties.Butalso,itmayprovedifficultforthepartiestofindsuitablecandidatesinareaswheretheyare

lessstrongsuchasmuchofthesouthforLabour,andmuchofthenorthfortheConservatives.This

rulemay

increase

the

likelihood

of

independents

being

given

afree

or

less

contested

run

by

the

parties.

Thisrestrictionalsomeansthatthepartiescannotdrawupasinglenationallistofpotentialcandidates

inthewaythatalldoforparliamentaryelections.Insteadtherewillneedtobeseparatelongandshort

listscreatedseparatelyforeacharea.

Interestingly,electedmayors(otherthantheMayorofLondon)arenotbarredfromstanding,raisingthe

intriguingpossibilitythatmayorsofEnglishcitiessuchasMiddlesboroughorHartlepoolmightalsostand

forthePCCpostforthepoliceareatheircityispartof.

Third,thefactthatPCCsareentirelynewjobs,andlargelywithoutprecedentintheUKcontextas

directlyelectedfigureswithresponsibilityforasinglepublicservice,posesachallengeintermsof

identifyingwhatkindofcandidatewouldbemostsuitedtotherole,andwhatbackground,

competenciesand

expertise

they

should

be

expected

to

have.

When

the

Home

Office

publishes

its

additionalguidanceontherolesandresponsibilitiesofPCCsthesemattersshouldbecomeclearer,but

theflexibilitybeingbuiltintothejobdescriptionmeansthatpreciselywhatthejobwillentailmaynot

befullyknownuntilthesuccessfulcandidatesareinpostanddoingthejob.

Forthepartiesitisthereforedifficultatthisstagetoknowwheretolook.Professionalisationof

parliamentaryselectionprocesseshasledtoallpartiesusingstandardisedcompetencyframeworksto

assessaspiringMPs.Butwilltheseassessmentprocessesbesuitableforthewhollydifferentroleof

PCCs?Partieswillhavetomovequicklytodecidewhatifanystandardisedassessmentprocesses

theywillusetodecidewhocanstandundertheirrespectivebannersnextNovember.

Fourth,notonlythepostsofPCCsbutalsotheareasthattheywillberesponsiblearenovelfromthe

perspectiveofbothpartiesandvoters.Thepoliticalgeographyofpoliceforceareasisatieratwhichthepartieshaveneverhadtoorganiseorcampaign.Someofthepoliceareasdocorrespondwithcounty

councilborders(e.g.inNorfolkandLincolnshire),butmoststretchacrossnumerouslocalauthorities,as

wellasothersubnationalstructuressuchasLocalEnterprisePartnerships(seeappendixBfortheWest

Yorkshireexample).Partieswillhavetofindnewbespokestructurestoselectcandidatesandcampaign

forthePCCelections.

Theunusualpoliticalgeographymayalsomakeitmoredifficultforindependentcandidates,sincefew

willhaveasufficientlystronglocalprofileacrosstheentirepolicearea.Andpublicdebatewillbefurther

limitedbythefactthatthepoliceareasdonoteasilycoincidewithlocalmediamarketseither.

Fifth,themuteddebatethathassofartakenplaceaboutPCCsmeansthatpublicawarenessofthe

postsandtheforthcomingelectionsremainsverylimited.Arecentpollfoundthatonly27%ofvoters

areawarethatthePCCelectionsarehappening.19Asaresultthereisariskthatengagementinthe

campaignsandturnoutintheelectionsmaybelow,underminingthelegitimacyofthenewsystemfor

policeaccountabilitybeforeithasevengotunderway.ThisisachallengethattheGovernmentandthe

politicalpartieswillneedtotacklethroughpubliceducationcampaigns,throughtheirchoiceof

19LocalGovernmentAssociationPoliceCommissionersPoll,conductedbyComres(November2011).At:

www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/localgovernmentassociationpolicecommissionerspoll.htm
http://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htmhttp://www.comres.co.uk/poll/561/local-government-association-police-commissioners-poll.htm


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10

candidates,andthroughthedesignofselectionprocesses.Forinstance,howtransparentwillselection

processesbe,andwillthewiderpublicbeengageddirectlyintheselectionofcandidates,forinstance

throughprimaryelections?

Sixth,allpartieshaveinrecentyearstakenstepstoincreasethediversityoftheircandidatesfor

parliamentandotherelectedtiersofgovernment,throughtheuseofquotas,localshortlistrestrictions

andothermechanisms.20Effortshavealsobeenmadetoensurethatthe17memberPoliceAuthorities,

whichPCCsreplace,arerepresentativeofthecommunitiestheyserve,inpartthroughtheappointment

ofindependentmembersalongsidecouncilappointees,whointurnareappointedtoreflectthepolitical

balanceofthearea.Bycontrast,theelectionofsingleindividualstothepostsofPCCsbegsthequestion

ofhowdiversitycanbebuiltintothenewaccountabilityarrangementsforpolice,somethingthatmight

beparticularlyimportantinethnicallymixedpoliceareaswherecommunitytensionsorfrictionwiththe

policeareanissue.WhilePoliceandCrimePanelsandthepossibilityforPCCstoselectdeputiesmay

offeradditionalopportunitiesforgeneratingdiversity,achievingareasonablyrepresentativeethnicity

and

gender

balance

of

PCCs

across

the

country

will

clearly

be

challenging.

Seventh,somecriticsofthePCCspolicyhavesuggestedthatthereisariskthattheelectionsmightbe

wonbyextremistorpopulistcandidatescapitalisingonlowturnout,particularlygiventhatthePCC

electionswillnolongercoincidewithlocalelections.Forinstance,aNewLocalGovernmentNetwork

pamphletarguedthatHoldingelectionsforlocalauthoritiesandforPoliceCommissionersseparately

couldresultinlowturnoutsincertainareas,therebyleadingtodivisive,singleissue,orextremist

candidatesbeingelected.21

Wedonotfeelthatthisisaparticularlylikelyoutcomesincetheareascoveredarequitelarge,so

extremistcandidateswouldneedtoattractsignificantsupportacrossarangeofdifferentlocalitiesto

haveachanceofsuccess.Also,theelectoralsystemmeansthatsecondpreferencescomeintoplayin

the

event

that

no

single

candidate

wins

an

outright

majority

of

votes.

This

militates

against

extremists

whoareunlikelytopickupmanysecondpreferencevotes.Nonetheless,asnotedabove,withoutpublic

educationand/orhighprofilecandidatescomingforwardthereisadangeroflowturnoutundermining

theelections,whichcouldopenthedoortosomeunexpectedelectoralresults.

5.OvercomingthechallengesAstheclocktickstowardsthefirstPCCelections,governmentandthepoliticalpartiesmustactquickly

toensurethatinNovember2012therearesuitablecandidatesonthePCCballotpapersacrossEngland

andWales.Intotal,aminimumof82crediblecandidatesneedtobefoundtoensurethatthereisa

competitiveelectioninallregions.Infact,successwouldberepresentedbythepresenceofsignificantly

moreserious

candidates

than

this,

probably

at

least

two

party

candidates

plus

independents

in

most

regions.Ourprovisionalrecommendationsaresummarisedinthefirstsectionofthisreport,andare

designedtofurtherthreemainobjectives:wideningthepoolofcandidates;ensuringqualityand

diversity;andengagingthepublic.

20AsdiscussedinWilliamsandPaun(2011),PartyPeople(opcit).

21OlivierRoth(2010),AFairCop?ElectedPoliceCommissioners,DemocracyandLocalAccountabilityAFairCop?(NewLocal

GovernmentNetwork,p.23.At:www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wpcontent/uploads/AFairCop.pdf
http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdfhttp://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/A-Fair-Cop.pdf


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11

WideningthepoolofcandidatesTofind100plushighcalibrecandidates,thefirststageoftheprocesswillbetoinviteapplicationsfrom

withinand

outside

of

the

political

parties.

As

noted,

one

of

the

problems

at

present

is

that

awareness

of

thePCCrolesislow,meaningthatpotentiallysuitablecandidatesmaynotevenknowofthenewposts

existence.ItisthereforeimportantthattheHomeOfficeandtheElectoralCommissionfocusonraising

awarenessaboutthepostsandthecomingelections.TheHomeOfficewillhaveaparticular

responsibilitytosetoutmoreclearlywhatbeingaPCCwillentail,howthePCCsofficesarelikelytobe

organised,andwhatongoingsupportandtrainingsuccessfulcandidateswillbeoffered,inorderto

persuadeseniorfiguresthatthisisajobworthdoing.

Asidefromgeneralawarenessraising,usemightalsobemadeofexecutivesearchprofessionalsto

identifycandidates.OncetheHomeOfficehaspublishedaclearersetofcriteriaandcompetencies

associatedwiththejobofPCCs,professionalheadhunterscouldbeusedtoidentifysuitableindividuals

irrespectiveofpoliticalaffiliation.Alongsidethis,asimilarcampaigntotheBeaCouncillorinitiative

launchedin

2009

to

find

fresh

talent

for

local

government

by

the

Local

Government

Leadership

group

shouldbedeveloped.22Organisationsthatmightbeinvolvedinconductinganindependentsearchfor

suitablecandidatesincludetheLocalGovernmentAssociation,theAssociationofPoliceAuthorities,and

HMInspectorofConstabulary.

Theindependenttalentsearchshouldseektoidentifyacadreofpotentialcandidatesforeachpolice

area,whomightthenopteithertostandasindependentsortoapplytorunonapartyticket.The

politicalpartieswillalsoneedtoacceleratetheirownsearchesforsuitablecandidates,butgiventhe

natureoftheposts,wesuggestthatthepartiesshouldbepreparedtobeflexibleasfarastheireligibility

criteriaareconcerned.Typically,tobecomeaparliamentarycandidateforoneofthemajorparties,one

needstodemonstrateahistoryofpartyactivism.Insomecases(intheLiberalDemocrats,forinstance)

a

minimum

length

of

party

membership

is

a

formal

requirement.

InthecaseofPCCs,webelieveitwouldbeadvisableforthepartiestoissueawidercallforapplications

alongthelinesofDavidCamerons2009initiative,whenattheheightoftheexpensesscandalheinvited

peoplewithabeliefinpublicservice,andadesiretocleanupourpoliticalsystemtocomeforwardto

becomeparliamentarycandidates,whetherornottheyhadanybackgroundintheConservativeParty.23

Thisinitiativewasasuccess,withover4,000inquiriesreceived,andsome150additionalcandidates

eventuallyaddedtothepartysapprovedcandidateslist.Asimilaropennesstonontraditional

candidatesshouldbeadoptedhere.Andpartiesshouldalsowelcomequalifiedcandidatesidentified

throughtheindependentsearchprocess.

EnsuringqualityanddiversityAsaspiringPCCscomeforward,thepartieswillneedtodeviseassessment,shortlistingandselection

processestodeterminewhotheircandidateswillbeineachofthe41regions.Typically,for

parliamentarycandidateselectionprocesses,aspiringMPsmustpassthroughastandardised

assessmentcentreinordertobeplacedonanationalapprovedcandidateslistallthreemainparties

usedthismodelinoneformoranotherbeforethelastelection.Approvedcandidatescanthenapplyto

22Detailsofthiscampaigncanbefoundat:www.beacouncillor.org.uk

23DavidCameron,MPs'expenses:WhyIwanttoopenupTorycandidateselection,DailyTelegraph,25May2009.At:

http://tgr.ph/12hsO5
http://www.beacouncillor.org.uk/http://tgr.ph/12hsO5http://tgr.ph/12hsO5http://www.beacouncillor.org.uk/


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12

particularconstituencies,withlocalpartyexecutivesresponsiblefordrawinguptheshortlistof

candidates,beforeallpartymembersintheconstituencyvoteonthefinalselection(sometimeswitha

degreeofpublicinputthroughprimaryelections).

Thepartiescompetencyframeworksforassessingpotentialparliamentarycandidatesoffera

reasonablestartingpointforassessmentofpotentialPCCs.Forinstance,theConservativeParliamentary

AssessmentBoardassessescandidatesagainstsixcompetencies:communicationskills,intellectualskills,

relatingtopeople,resilienceanddrive,leadershipandmotivationandpoliticalconviction.TheLiberal

Democratsuseasimilarframework.ThesecompetenciesarelikelytoberelevanttothePCCrole,

thoughPCCassessmentprocessesshouldbedesignedinawaythatallowscandidateswithlimitedparty

politicalexperiencetocompeteonalevelplayingfieldwithlongservingpartyactivists.

Inaddition,itmightbenecessarytodevelopnewelementsoftheassessmentprocesstoreflectthe

particularchallengesoftherolesuchasorganisationalandbudgetmanagement,aswellasknowledge

ofcrimeandpolicingissuesinthelocalarea.Suchbespokeassessmentsmightbedesignedand

deliveredby

an

independent

body

on

behalf

of

all

the

parties,

most

logically

the

same

organisation(s)

responsiblefortheindependenttalentsearchprocess.

Giventheunusualgeographicalscaleoftheseelections,thepartieswillalsoneedtocreatenew

structuresandprocessestoconductthefinalinterviews,drawupshortlistsandmanagetheselectionof

thefinalcandidateatthepolicearealevel.Insodoing,acarefulbalancewillneedtobestruckbetween

thenationalandlocalparties.

PartyHQswillprobablyneedtoberesponsiblefordesigningtheoverallshapeoftheselectionprocess,

layingdownsomerulesatthenationallevelabouthowthelocalconstituencypartieswithineachpolice

areashouldcometogethertoconducttheselectionprocess.Nationalpartiesmightalsosetgenderor

ethnicityquotasforlocalshortlists,forinstancerequiringthatthefinalshortlistsofcandidatestakeinto

accounttheethnicmixofthelocalarea.ButgiventhatPCCswillbeintrinsicallylocalpoliticalfigures,theircredibilityisalsolikelytorestonhavingbeenselectedlocallyratherthanparachutedinbyparty

leaders,sofinalshortlistingandselectiondecisionsshouldbelefttothoseatthelocallevel.

EngagingthepublicGiventherisksofpublicdisengagementfromtheprocess,seriousthoughtshouldbegiventohownon

partymemberscouldbeinvolvedintheselectionprocess.Ataminimum,partiesmightorganisepublic

hustingseventsfortheirfinalshortlistofcandidatestoenablevoterstoquestionandengagewiththose

ontheshortlistbeforepartymembersmakethefinalselectiondecisions.

Moreinnovatively,theselectionprocessmightbedesignedinsuchawaythatordinaryvotersandlocal

communityrepresentatives

are

directly

involved.

For

instance,

building

on

the

Conservative

Big

Event

selectionprocess,localcommunityfiguressuchasyouthactivists,faithleaders,chiefconstables,

headteachersandothersmightbeinvitedtointerviewshortlistedcandidatesabouttheirplansand

priorities,andtofeedtheiropinionsabouteachcandidatetothepartymembership.

Wearealsoattractedtoopeningoutcandidateselectionprocessesbeyondpartymembersalone.The

LabourPartyhasrecentlycommittedtocreatinganewnetworkofregisteredsupporters,whowillbe

givenasayinfuturepartyleadershipelections.Thereisagoodcaseforenfranchisingthisgroupinthe

PCCselectionprocessestoo.


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13

Further,webelievethatopenprimaryelections,inwhichthegeneralpublicisentitledtovoteinparty

selectionprocesses,offerapositivewaytoengagevoters.InTotnesandGosportin2009,the

Conservativesusedpostalprimaryprocessestoselecttheircandidatesandsucceededinattractingthe

participationof

25%

and

18%

of

voters

respectively.

We

suggest

that

parties

should

consider

adopting

openprimariestoselectatleastsomeoftheirPCCcandidates,particularlyinareaswheretheyhavetwo

ormorestrongcandidates,andwheretheyarereasonablyconfidentofelectoralsuccess.

Aguidingprincipleofallthepartiesassessmentandselectionprocesses,aswellasanyinitiatives

developedtoattractnonpartycandidates,isthattheyshouldbemadeastransparentaspossible.

HomeOfficeguidanceontherolesandresponsibilitiesofPCCswillformacrucialpartofthis.The

ElectoralCommissionshouldalsoprovideproactivebriefingandtrainingforPCCcandidates(including

independents)ontheelectoralprocessitself,includingrulesrelatingtocampaignexpenditureandso

on.Andthepartiesmustthemselvesmaketheircandidateselectionprocessmuchmoretransparent

fromtheoutset,soaspiringPCCsknowwhattheyneedtodotogetselectedaspartycandidates,andso

the

wider

public

knows

how

and

when

they

can

have

their

say.

Also,

candidates

might

be

required

to

submitpublicapplications(forinstanceinvideoform),settingouttheirsuitabilityfortherole.

FundingbettercandidateselectionprocessesPrimaryelections,aswellasheadhuntingandawarenessraisingactivities,arenotfreegoods,andan

obviousquestioniswherethefundingcouldcomefrom.Creativewaystoreducethecostswouldneed

tobefound.TheConservativePartyspostalprimaryelectionscostareported40,000each.Scaledup

tothesizeofanaveragepolicearea,andthecostswouldeasilyreachintosixfigures,makingithighly

unlikelythateitherthepartiesortheGovernmentcouldfundsuchprocesses.However,amajorpartof

thecostsrepresentedthefreepostenvelopessenttoallvoters.Requiringvoterstopayfortheirown

postage,orenablingthemtovoteonline,wouldsignificantlyreducecosts.

WebelievethatmuchofthispackagecouldbepaidforthroughareductioninPCCsannualsalaryinlinewiththeproposalfromtheSeniorSalariesReviewBodyrecommendations.TheSSRBhasproposed

salariesofbetween65,000and100,000peryear,whichwouldmeanatotalcostof4millionper

yearcomparedto5millionbudgetedbytheHomeOffice.MultipliedoverthefouryearsofthePCCs

termthiswouldsave4million.Webelievethatwhileacompetitivesalaryisanimportantfactorin

attractinghighcalibrecandidates,highpayisunlikelytobenorshoulditbetheoverriding

motivationforthoseseekingelectionasaPCC,meaningthatthismoneyisbetterspentnotonsalary

butontheothermethodswehavehighlightedforattractingmorediverseandhighercalibrecandidates.

6.NextstepsThereisanurgentneedfortheGovernment,thepoliticalparties,andotherinterestedpartiesto

considerseriouslyhowtheywillcontributetoensuringthathighqualitycandidatesfromdiverse

backgroundscontestthefirstelectionsforPCCsin2012.Whatevertheirmerits,PCCsarecomingand

willhaveasignificantinfluenceonthefutureofpolicingandcrimeintheUK.Theelectoratedeservesto

bepresentedwithastronglistofcandidateswhenitseesitsfirstPoliceandCrimeCommissionerballot

papersnextyear.Wethereforehopethattheideasraisedinthispaperproveastartingpointfordebate

andwelcomefurtherdiscussionandaction.


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14

AcknowledgementsTheauthorsaregratefultoAndrewAdonis,JillRutterandEmmaThwaitesattheInstitutefor

Governmentfor

their

input

and

suggestions.

Also,

Benoit

Guerin

provided

very

helpful

research

assistance,includingcreatingtheappendices.RhysWilliams,whoworkedontheprecursorprojecton

theselectionofparliamentarycandidates,madeasignificantindirectcontributiontothispaper.

OutsidetheIfG,wearegratefultoanumberofpeoplewhocontributedtimeandideas,including

ProfessorJoSilvester,ChristinaDykes,LordTobyHarris,ChrisNicholsonandTomHawthorn,and

representativesofthethreepartiesandtheGovernment.

Allconclusionsandrecommendationsreflecttheauthorsviewsalone.


15/17


16/17
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/parliamentary-business/written-ministerial-statement/allocations-police-england-wales?view=Binaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_police_forces_in_the_United_Kingdom#England_and_Waleshttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1311/hosb1311?view=Binary


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AppendixB:WestYorkshirepoliceareaandoverlappingsubnationalgovernanceboundaries