APCC appoints new chief executive as government prepares to abolish PCCs
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has appointed Jonny Bugg as its next chief executive as the government prepares sweeping reforms that would abolish PCCs and radically reshape policing governance in England and Wales.
Mr Bugg, currently chief executive to the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and formerly head of the Fire Strategy and Reform Unit at the Home Office, will take up the interim role in June for 12 months.
The appointment comes days after the King’s Speech confirmed plans for what ministers described as “the biggest reform to policing in decades”, including the abolition of police and crime commissioners, the creation of fewer larger police forces and the establishment of a new National Police Service.
Under the proposed reforms, specialist national policing functions would be brought together under a new structure combining the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, regional organised crime capabilities and other operational bodies.
The government has pledged to introduce “successor arrangements” to replace PCCs, though ministers have yet to set out what model of local democratic accountability would take their place.
In announcing Mr Bugg’s appointment, APCC chair Emily Spurrell said it was vital the organisation had “a leading voice” as policing undergoes “far-reaching reform”.
Mr Bugg said “strong and independent oversight” would be essential to maintaining public confidence as the “new police landscape” develops.
Mr Bugg’s background spans both local policing governance and national reform programmes within the Home Office, placing him at the centre of debates over the future structure, accountability and oversight of policing.
Outgoing APCC CEO Phil Golding is moving to become Director General of the Bar Standards Board.