Policing and Crime

Role and Responsibilities

With regards to policing and crime, the Mayor of West Yorkshire is responsible for:

• Securing the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force and holding the Chief Constable to account.
• Issuing a Police and Crime Plan, determining police and crime objectives.
• Attendance at the Police and Crime Panel.
• Preparing an annual report.
• Calculating a council tax or budget requirement (precept).
• Maintaining the Police Fund.
• Appointing, and where necessary, suspending or calling on a Chief Constable to retire or resign.
• Delegating some of these functions to a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime where appointed.
• Consulting the public to ensure that their views and priorities on community safety issues inform the police and crime plan.
• Commissioning of services which include supporting victims and tackling reoffending.
• Strengthening links such as inclusive growth and community safety and cohesion.

To provide stronger and more transparent accountability of the police, the Mayor of West Yorkshire holds the Chief Constable to account, helping to make the police answerable to the communities they serve.

The Mayor will ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and foster local relationships through building confidence. They will work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

The Mayor does not run the police. The role is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account.

About the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

Alison Lowe OBE is the West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC).

The DMPC works with the Mayor to oversee policing in the county, on behalf of the public.

Other key functions include commissioning services to support those harmed by crime and reduce reoffending, consulting the public to ensure that their views and priorities are taken into account, strengthening links such as inclusive growth and community safety and cohesion.

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Joint Independent Audit Committee Recruitment

We are looking to appoint two Independent Members to our Joint Independent Audit Committee who will provide independent assurance on the adequacy of risk management and financial controls for West Yorkshire Police and for the Mayor’s PCC functions.

This is a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution and to share your expertise as the Committee plays an important role in supporting the Mayor and Chief Constable in ensuring the right governance and control mechanisms are in place to help to improve and strengthen the delivery of policing for our communities.

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