219. who chose the sheriff
TRANSCRIPT
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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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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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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 -
7/31/2019 219. Who Chose the Sheriff
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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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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/ -
7/31/2019 219. Who Chose the Sheriff
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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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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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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.
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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