Police and Crime Commissioner
(PCC) Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which applies to England and Wales, an elected official whose role is to set policing priorities in each local police area. The PCC replaces the existing police authorities everywhere except in London, where these responsibilities are transferred to the office of the directly elected mayor. The first PCCs were elected in November 2012, and elections are now held every four years.

The PCCs must swear an oath of impartiality to emphasize that they are there to serve the whole community. Their job is to ensure that the policing needs of the community are met as effectively as possible by bringing the public closer to the police, and building confidence in the system. The PCC has the power to appoint and dismiss chief constables. He or she is also responsible for setting the policing budget, including the precept (council charge for the police). PCCs must engage with the public and consult with victims of crime when setting policing priorities. They are responsible for setting and updating a Police and Crime Plan and are accountable to the newly established Police and Crime Panels.

The legislation protects the operational independence of the police. Chief constables retain control and direction of their forces’ officers and staff.

• Sentencing Code
• Sentencing Council for England and Wales
• separability thesis
• separate trials
• separatim
• separation
• separation agreement
• separation of powers
• separation order
• sequestration
• seriatim
• Serious Fraud Office
• serious harm
• Serious Organized Crime Agency
• servant
• service
• Service Civilian Court
• service complaint
• Service Complaints Ombudsman
• service inquiry
• service law
• service out of the jurisdiction
• Service Prosecuting Authority
• services
• service tenancy