{"id":612968,"date":"2025-12-05T03:12:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T03:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/612968\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T03:12:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T03:12:19","slug":"major-change-to-regions-policing-called-hasty-and-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/612968\/","title":{"rendered":"Major change to region\u2019s policing called \u2018hasty and wrong\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Merseyside\u2019s Police and Crime Panel formally responded to the government\u2019s decision to scrap police and crime commissioners\"MerseysideMerseyside Police patrol(Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\n

Major changes to the region\u2019s police governance have been called \u2018hasty and wrong\u2019 today, as Merseyside\u2019s Police and Crime Panel (MPCP) formally responded to the government\u2019s decision to scrap the role of the police and crime commissioner (PCC).<\/p>\n

Following a ministerial announcement on the November 13, the panel presented a letter which confirmed the government\u2019s intent to abolish the role of Police and Crime Commissioners<\/a> across the country, and as a consequence of that, scrap the role of police and crime panels.<\/p>\n

The role was introduced by the Conservatives in 2012 and meant all 43 police forces covering local areas across England and Wales had to answer to an elected official. The system was introduced to boost accountability and performance of police forces.<\/p>\n

The government said the move was inline with its wider aims around devolution and local government reorganisation. The PCC\u2019s powers will likely be transferred to Mayoral strategic authorities, and the expectation is to have those arrangements in place by 2028, when the current Commissioner\u2019s term of office concludes.<\/p>\n

\"PCCPCC Emily Spurrell during a Police and Crime Panel meeting at Knowsley Council(Image: Knowsley Council)<\/p>\n

Emily Spurrell, who is the PCC for Merseyside and also the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said she was disappointed with both the decision and the lack of engagement, and expanded on that during the MPCP meeting today.<\/p>\n

Responding to the police governance report presented today, December 4, at Knowsley<\/a> Council\u2019s Huyton<\/a> offices \u2013 and the proposals to scrap the PCC role \u2013 Ms Spurrell said: \u201cI think this was a hasty and poor decision.\u201d Adding: \u201cI think it\u2019s the wrong decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms Spurrell continued: \u201cWe were very unsighted on what the announcement was, so we\u2019re now trying to figure out what the next steps are like.\u201d Adding: \u201cI want to also just be very clear that [\u2026] we are still in this role for two years and and whatever comes beyond that, work will still need to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Panel member Cllr Laurence Sidorczukz was unequivocal in his response to the update, he said: \u201cThis decision is such a retrograde step. There was a complete and utter lack of consultation, particularly with other OPPCs [\u2026] and I think that is a democratic deficit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cllr Sidorczukz added: \u201cIf this is the very first step in police reform, and it\u2019s such a bad first step, I don\u2019t know what the rest are going to be like.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next elections for PCC were scheduled for May 2028 and will now be cancelled. The current PCCs will complete their current terms. Policing minister Sarah Jones told Parliament today that ending PCCs will save \u00a3100m.<\/p>\n

Ms Spurrell, who is paid a salary of \u00a388,600 a year, is currently responsible for setting the priorities for Merseyside Police; appointing and, if necessary, dismissing the chief constable; dealing with complaints and disciplinary matters against the chief constable; holding the top officer to account and publishing a report and crime plan.<\/p>\n

She does not have responsibility for day-to-day deployment and delivery of police services or investigating complaints against officers below the rank of chief constable.<\/p>\n

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