Police and Crime Commissioners

What do they do?

The Police and Crime Commissioner is a new role replacing your local police authority. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on the public's behalf. The Police and Crime Commissioner oversees how crime is tackled in their area and aims to make sure the police are providing a good service.

The Police and Crime Commissioner role includes:

• meeting the public regularly to listen to their views on policing
• producing a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities
• deciding how the budget will be spent
• appointing Chief Constables and dismissing them if needed.

The Police and Crime Commissioner elections take place in 41 police force areas covering England and Wales (excluding London). Each area will have one Police and Crime Commissioner.

How are they elected?

When you vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections you use the Supplementary vote system.

If only two candidates stand in your area you use the first-past-the-post system.

Visit our Voting systems page for more information.

When are they elected?

The first Police and Crime Commissioner elections took place on Thursday 15 November 2012. The Police and Crime Commissioners elected in November 2012 will serve for three-and-a-half years. The next elections will take place in May 2016.

Where can I find out more?

• www.choosemypcc.org.uk
• www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners