Your Police Authority - Your Voice
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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 everyday policing issues.
Ambitions Statement
The Police Authority has a statutory duty to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective police force in its area. It does so by appointing senior police officers including the Chief Constable, by setting policing priorities annually, by reviewing and approving the overall policing budget and by setting the element of Council Tax. It has a responsibility to keep informed of public opinion on policing issues and to monitor the delivery of services to the public.
In doing all this the Authority aims to:
1. Be accessible, be informative, communicative and to listen to the public to ensure that their views are taken into account in the delivery of policing services.
2. Set a budget which balances the resource needs of the service with affordability for the local taxpayer.
3. Set ambitious but realistic objectives for the police service and monitor their delivery.
4. Ensure the high quality leadership of the Force is maintained and that the service reflects the communities it serves.
5. Hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the public.
6. Ensure strong corporate governance by the Police Authority of the service.
7. Oversee and pursue efficiency in the delivery of policing services, working with partner agencies and other police forces to improve delivery and maximise value for money.
8. Ensure the highest standards of conduct both by members of the Police Authority and by the Police Service.
Who We Are And What We Do
Click here for information about Police Authority members and staff.
Policing is a vital service which impacts on us all. An effective police service delivers a safe environment where criminality is tackled.
Policing is organised into local forces each scrutinised by a local Police Authority whose job is to get the best out of our police and ensure that the local voice of the public is heard and that police activity reflects public wishes.
In short your Police Authority is your voice in policing.
Each year we specifically comment about the policing priorities for the year ahead and try to gauge what proportion of your Council Tax should go to policing. In doing so, we listen to our communities throughout the year. In particular we:
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 2,367 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 is shown below:
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 7 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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