Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibility for policing in Wales and England is shared between the Home Secretary, the Police Authority and the Chief Constable. This is often referred to as the Tripartite System.
While working together, each is independent of the others.
Put simply:
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The Home Secretary sets national policy, objectives and targets
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The Police Authority sets the local strategic Policing Plan and Force Priorities
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The Chief Constable has operational independence for the direction and control of the force.
The Police Authority has a large number of statutory responsibilities. Its three key functions are:
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To secure an efficient and effective Police Service and hold the Chief Constable to account
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To secure Best Value and continuous improvement in the way its functions are exercised
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To obtain the views of local people about policing of their area and the co-operation of local people in preventing crime.
Other statutory responsibilities include:
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Set the policing priorities, following consultation with the public and the Chief Constable
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Publish an Annual Policing Plan and Annual Report
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Appoint and, if necessary, dismiss the Chief Constable, Deputy and Assistant Chief Constables
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Hold the Police Fund and maintain accounts
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Set the police precept of local council tax
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Investigate complaints made against Chief Police Officers, and monitor complaints of all other police personnel
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To have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful race, gender and disability discrimination and harassment
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To promote diversity within the force and the Authority
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To monitor force performance in complying with the Human Rights Act 1998.
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To publish an annual local policing summary
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To maintain an effective Independent Custody Visiting Scheme
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To comply with directions from the Home Secretary in relation to budget requirements, performance targets or following an adverse report by HMIC
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Comply with Freedom of Information Act requirements
Click on the document below to view the full list of responsibilities of the Authority.