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What does a PCC do?

The PCC works for and with local communities to build a safer West Mercia. It is his role to scrutinise the service you, as a member of a local community, receive from your police force, ensuring you have trust and confidence in them.

By holding West Mercia’s Chief Constable to account, the PCC ensures you receive an effective, efficient police service. His role gives you and your community a voice at the highest level, ensuring your priorities are understood and acted on.

To find out more about the PCC's holding to account, otherwise known as Assurance and Accountability, meetings please click here.

PCC at a meeting

The PCC

  • Produces a Police and Crime Plan which outlines the priorities for the term.
  • Determines the police precept each year, which is the police’s share of council tax contributions. This is always done in consultation with local communities.
  • Is responsible for the West Mercia policing budget of more than £300 million each year. He ensures the force is using this effectively, achieving the best possible value for money.
  • Is responsible for hiring or, if necessary, firing West Mercia Police’s Chief Constable.
  • Engages with local communities. This includes attending local events, community meetings and carrying out consultations across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire, to hear the public voice.
  • Has a number of national responsibilities as well as local ones. He ensures the police can protect the public from cross-border threats like terrorism and organised crime.
  • Utilises his commissioning budget, as well as additional funding, to commission over £5m of services for victims of crime and ensure they have access to the appropriate support, and over £5m of prevention & diversionary activities in West Mercia.