Police and Crime Commissioner role working well, says Chief Constable

PCCs were introduced by the Government in 2012, replacing Police Authorities, but there has been criticism the role politicises the police and that much of the public don't know what they do.

Low election turnouts have also been used as a stick to beat the position with but West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the role had worked well.

Current Labour PCC David Jamieson is standing down at the election. Labour's Simon Foster is seeking to replace him, with Jay Singh-Sohal standing for the Conservatives.

Mr Thompson said: "Somebody has got to hold the police to account democratically. The Chief Constable has a very wide operational independence. I make some really big and important decisions.

"Someone's got to ask me the questions and ask whether I'm spending money well or doing the right things so I always take the view it's not for the chief to decide how they're held to account.

"We've seen Police Authorities, we've seen Police and Crime Commissioners, my view is both systems have individual strengths. With the Police Authority we had a lot more scrutiny, with the PCC sometimes decisions are actually easier to make than they were with the Police Authority because I've got very clear roles, the PCC, has so it's an easier conversational relationship.

"What I would say is around all the Commissioners we've had in the West Midlands I've always had operational independence. I don't think we've ever had a PCC who thinks they're the Chief Constable and is trying to do my job. Commissioners take an oath to that they don't do that and with both Commissioners we've seen that in the West Midlands.

"But from my perspective I understand how the system works, I'm operationally independent and I think the role of the Commissioner is very clear for the public and I think as a system of governance it's working."

West Midlands Mayor has made no secret of his desire to take over policing and could try again after the election following his failure to abolish the PCC role last year.

Mr Thompson said: "I'm sure we'll have debates again about PCCs, mayors, whatever the arrangements are as long as policing is operationally independent and is properly held to account then that system of governance can work."