Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are elected representatives who oversee how crime is tackled in a police force area. Their aim is to cut crime and to ensure the police force is effective.

Under the Policing and Crime Act 2017, PCCs can also make a case to take control of fire and rescue services in their areas and are known as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCC). Details are available on individual force pages where this applies.

There are separate arrangements for London and Greater Manchester. In London, these responsibilities belong to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). MOPAC is headed by the Mayor of London. In Manchester, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is responsible for Police and Crime Commissioner functions.

MOPAC is directly accountable for police performance in the capital, setting out strategic direction and allocating resources across London in its Police and Crime Plan. They also have an important role to play across the criminal justice system. Operational policing will however remain the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the City of London Commissioner'.

Policing in Scotland and Northern Ireland has been devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly. In Scotland, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice serves in a similar capacity for Police Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the Minister of Justice fulfils a similar role for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

PCCs work with the police and other partners to cut crime, give the public a voice at the highest level, and hold forces to account and help restore trust. Your PCC will do this by:

  • being directly accountable to the scrutiny of the public
  • having the democratic mandate to respond to local people's concerns
  • setting local force's policing priorities and force budget
  • working with local partners to prevent crime
  • holding their Chief Constable to account for the performance of the force
  • appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the Chief Constable
  • taking on the functions and duties of fire and rescue authorities


Read more about PCCs by visiting the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) website. 

UK Police and Crime Commissioners: