PCC elections bring increased diversity in policing governance in England and Wales
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) says the 2024 intake of those elected to hold policing publicly accountable in England and Wales is “the most diverse since the role of police and crime commissioner (PCC) was created.
Following last week’s elections, of the 37 PCCs and police, fire and crime commissioners (PFCCs), 13 are women – including the two first black women to be voted into office.
Labour gained 11 PCCs together with all five mayoral posts that have responsibility for policing in their areas, giving them oversight of 22 of the 42 England and Wales police force areas.
Conservative PCCs were elected in 19 areas, and Plaid Cymru retained control in Dyfed-Powys.
“In all, 16 police forces will be overseen by newly-elected PCCs or their mayoral equivalents,” said the APCC. “In areas where the mayor is responsible for police governance, they may appoint a deputy mayor to carry out this role.”
The North Yorkshire PFCC’s role and responsibilities have transferred to the newly-created York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor, and the functions of the South Yorkshire PCC have moved to the new mayor of South Yorkshire.
The 13 women who now hold PCC/PFCC roles – an increase of one on the 2021 cohort – include nine of Labour’s 17 commissioners. Emma Wools, elected in South Wales, is both the first woman to be elected in Wales to the post of PCC and the first black woman ever to hold the office across England and Wales.
Her election was followed swiftly by that of another black woman, Nicolle Ndiweni, elected as PCC for Derbyshire.
PCCs Katy Bourne (Sussex) and Tim Passmore (Suffolk), become the first to be elected for a fourth consecutive term. Both have been in post since the first PCC elections in 2012. Clive Grunshaw returns as PCC for Lancashire, a role he held previously between 2012 and 2021.
The APCC said it “welcomes all its new and returning members at the start of their four-year term”.
It added: “As policing seeks to rebuild public trust and improve outcomes for victims of crime, the job of a PCC as the voice of the people and holding their police force to account has never been more important.
“The APCC looks forward to working with them on tackling the issues that matter most to people: serious violence, improving community policing, tackling antisocial behaviour, and having trust and confidence in policing.”