Performance and scrutiny
Police and Crime Plan
Your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), in consultation with the Chief Constable and the people of Norfolk, is required to issue a Police and Crime Plan (PCP) setting out the strategic objectives for his term of office.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN) supports the PCC in the development, implementation, performance management and review of the Police and Crime Plan.
Performance
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) publishes an annual report each financial year for members of the public, partner agencies and stakeholders to assess the PCC’s performance against the delivery of their Police and Crime Plan.
Regular performance reports are also provided to public meetings of the Norfolk Police and Crime Panel – a group of councillors and independent members tasked with holding the PCC to account for the way they perform their duties.
Scrutiny
Within the Police and Crime Plan, the PCC sets strategic objectives for policing and holds the Chief Constable to account for their delivery. To support the PCC in ensuring Norfolk’s communities receive an efficient and effective policing service, monitoring mechanisms are put in place and scrutiny meetings facilitated by the OPCCN.
Complaints
Areas monitored and scrutinised by the PCC, with the support of the OPCCN, include complaints made by members of the public against police officers, staff and the Chief Constable.
The PCC is responsible for monitoring how the Constabulary handles complaints against its officers and staff, but is not involved in the investigation of such complaints. However, the PCC does have responsibility for dealing with complaints against the Chief Constable.
Since February 2020, if a complainant remains dissatisfied with the way the Constabulary has dealt with their complaint, they may request a review by the PCC.
Police Misconduct
Where behaviour falls below the expected standards it is important that the police service is open and accountable. Police Misconduct Hearing Panels preside over serious misconduct cases in what is an important aspect of the disciplinary rules that govern the police.
A misconduct hearing is for cases where a Police Officer, either serving or retired prior to the conclusion of a misconduct investigation, has a case to answer in respect of gross misconduct. These are chaired by an independent legally qualified person (a ‘Legally Qualified Chair’) who will be chosen from a pool held by the local policing body (The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk).
Custody visiting
Your PCC also has a legal duty to establish and manage a custody visiting scheme to monitor the treatment and welfare of those held in police custody.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit Norfolk’s Police Investigation Centres (PICs), unannounced and in pairs, to check the treatment and welfare of detainees and deliver effective oversight to ensure a safe environment while providing public reassurance.
Transparency
Governance arrangements are put in place by the OPCCN to ensure the PCC is open and transparent in delivering their legal responsibilities which, as well as scrutiny and performance monitoring, cover decision-making, equality, data protection and freedom of information.