Police and crime panels

From November 2012 onwards, police and crime panels have a vital role in challenging, scrutinising and supporting each police and crime commissioner (PCC). They will for example in their first few months have to scrutinising police and crime commissioners' precepts and police and crime plans, conducting confirmation hearings and dealing with complaints against the PCC.

Panel membership is made up mainly from councillors from the councils within the area of the police force concerned. At least two independent co-opted members also have to be appointed to the panel.  

LGA update on work to support panels

The LGA continues to actively support the establishment and the ongoing operation of Police and Crime Panels.  This has involved liaising with the Home Office to represent local authorities and raise issues of concern.  Practical assistance, particularly to host authorities responsible for establishing panels, has included the production of a  range of guidance (available below) and answers to queries and questions about some of the important detail about membership, how panels should operate according to the legislation and, and how they can be effective.

Meetings to share experience

The LGA has kept in regular on-line contact with key authorities to offer support, and has organised two well attended events aimed particularly at host authorities which were held in June and October 2012.  A further event open to a wider audience is planned for early in 2013 to build on the experience of panels from their first few months of operation; further details will be available on this website shortly. 

Peer Support

Peer support opportunities have also been arranged and advertised to assist host authorities set up their panel and learn from the experience of others, it is anticipated that authorities will make further good use of peer support assistance in this area facilitated by the LGA during 2013.

Wider sharing of experience from November 2012 onwards

The LGA has provided crucial opportunities to allow officers to share information, experience and good practice during the set up phase, and to help continue this kind of support and broaden it to panel members, the LGA has created a new on-line open access Police and Crime Panels Support Network.  This new forum is to provide opportunities for wider networking and sharing of ideas and good practice from November onwards as panels gain operational experience. 

Join the new group

If you are a panel member or have a key interest in this area and would like to join this on-line networking discussion forum on Police and Crime Panels, all you have to do is to register yourself on the LGA's K-Hub (if you are not already registered) here:

Knowledge Hub

Once you are registered – you can very easily join the new group here:  

Polce and Crime Panel Support and Wider Networking Group

LGA Guidance for panels

Key guidance produced by the LGA is posted on the new Police and Crime Panels Support Network referred to above – but are also posted as downloads below for ease of reference:

Police and Crime Commissioners – A guide for councils

Police and crime panels: guidance on role and composition

Police and crime panels – Guidance on terms of reference and rules of procedure

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26 March 2013