Hertfordshire’s PCC to stand down at next election
Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Lloyd has announced he is to stand down at the next election in May this year.
Mr Lloyd is one of the longest-serving PCCs in the country having being elected to the post when it was created in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016 and again 2021.
He was previously chair of the Hertfordshire Police Authority and deputy leader of Hertfordshire County Council and has been continuously involved in police governance since 2005 – the longest in the country.
The new PCC will be elected in May 2024 when elections will be held across England and Wales.
Speaking after making the decision Mr Lloyd said: “I have served three terms as PCC for the county and have thoroughly enjoyed the role and appreciated the wonderful support and friendship of my team. It has been the greatest privilege of my life representing the amazing people of Hertfordshire. However, one of the arts of leadership is to know when to hand the reins on to someone else. That time has come.
“I have been PCC for over a decade and in that time I have made many positive changes to policing and community safety in the county.
“Hertfordshire now has the largest number of officers in its history; hundreds more than when I first took office. Services for victims have also been transformed so that those who are affected by crime have one of the most comprehensive help and advice centres in the country.
“I have worked with the constabulary to implement a pioneering Prevention First strategy to reduce all crime types, as well as an evidence-based policing approach to target areas of highest harm and demand.
“There are still many aims of the current Police and Crime plan which I will continue to work on and I remain fully committed to the role for the remainder of my tenure.
“Along with the chief constable we have commissioned a comprehensive force review looking at the efficiency and effectiveness of the service. This is currently underway and it will ensure that when I leave the constabulary it will be in the best shape possible for whoever succeeds me.
“I wish all of the candidates the best of luck in their election campaigning.”
Elected PCCs were created to replace Police Authorities in 2012. Their role is to be the voice of the people and they are responsible for the overall policing strategy and setting the force’s annual budget.
PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold chief constables to account and to make the police answerable to the communities they serve.
PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.