The Police Authority
We are an independent body comprising 17 members responsible for overseeing and securing the maintenance of an efficient and effective police service for the public of West Mercia. Although we do not interfere with day to day operational decisions, we maintain contact with senior police officers and staff and aim to reflect public opinion on key policing issues.
Who we are:
Click here for information about Police Authority members and staff.
What we do:
Ensure adequate policing is in place
The Police Authority is responsible for ensuring that adequate policing is in place for its area. It employs over 2,000 police staff, including Community Support Officers, and oversees the work of its 2,500 police officers.
Appoint Chief Officers
The Authority directly appoints the most senior police officers who make up West Mercia's Police Command Team, including the Chief Constable.
Agree the priorities for policing
The priorities for policing are based on extensive consultation carried out by the Authority and West Mercia Police and take into account national influences and local partnership commitments. The rolling three year strategy and priorities for policing are agreed annually in February.
Set the annual budget and precept
The police budget and police precept (collected through council tax) are set annually in February for the coming financial year commencing 1st April. The police precept accounts for approximately 10% of Council Tax.
Ensure financial propriety
The Authority employs a team of internal auditors and its Audit Committee regularly reviews financial practices and police spending. The Authority's financial control systems are subject to external independent review by the Audit Commission. For the last two years it has achieved the top score for Police Use of Resources, receiving the highest rating available for providing value for money and financial standing.
Hold the Chief Constable to account to deliver the policing priorities
The performance of West Mercia Police is monitored through feedback from local consultation and regular formal meetings of the Authority. The Police Authority meets in public four times a year and receives reports and recommendations on matters considered by its five standing panels and five Divisional Policing Boards. Each Panel and Policing Board adopts an annual work programme which is continually refreshed. Our meeting structure (which is currently under review) is shown to the right:
Consult
The Authority ensures that there are satisfactory arrangements for consultation with local communities regarding the policing of their area and that their views are taken into account in developing the priorities for policing and decision making.
In 2008 the Authority introduced Policing Matters meetings and events across the force area to support the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) engagement carried out by Local Policing Teams. Policing Matters meetings and events provide the opportunity for the public to meet their Divisional Commander and local Police Authority members, together with representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service and local Community Safety Partnership. Attendees can find out more about policing in the Police Division they live in, ask questions and make suggestions. The events and meetings also provide West Mercia Police and the Police Authority with an additional mechanism for consultation.
Publish Statutory Documents
- The Policing Plan - Sets out the Chief Constable's and Police Authority's agreed three year strategy and policing objectives for the year ahead. It outlines how policing services will be delivered and monitored over the next year and the planned resources available. (Published on the Authority's website)
- The Annual Report - A report on the performance of the police against targets set in the Policing Plan. (Published on the Authority's website)
- Local Policing Summary - Summary sent to each household annually providing information about the work of West Mercia Police and the Police Authority
- Council Tax Leaflet - Information on the precept and budget sent to each household annually with the council tax bill in March.
Work in Partnership
The Authority is one of the statutory members of the 11 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (also known as Community Safety Partnerships) that operate across the force area. The Authority is also represented on the four Local Strategic Partnerships which cover Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford & Wrekin responsible for the Local Area Agreements (three year agreements negotiated with Government to improve the wellbeing of an area).
Administer Custody Visitors Scheme
Custody Visitors are local independent volunteers who monitor, on behalf of the Authority, the welfare of people detained in police cells. Calling unannounced at any time of day or night, Custody Visitors talk in confidence to detainees and then report any problems, comments or complaints they may have.
Monitor Complaints Investigation
The Police Authority monitors how complaints are handled, checking to ensure that the complaints procedures have been carried out properly.
To contact us:
Visit www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk to email individual members and staff, for further information about the Police Authority, including meetings, consultation exercises and to view statutory publications.
Write to:
West Mercia Police Authority, PO Box 487, Shrewsbury, SY2 6WB
Telephone: 01743 264690
Email: police.authority@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
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