South Wales Police Authority

What is a Police Authority?

What is a Police Authority?

Quick facts


1. The Police Authority is an independent organisation.

2. It is responsible for ensuring the local police service is efficient and effective.

3. It also makes sure the Chief Constable is held to account for their actions and decisions.

4. It makes sure the police are accountable to the public.

5. It is made up of local people – both a mixture of Councillors and Independent Members – 19 in South Wales.

6. Each of the 43 police forces in Wales and England have its own Police Authority.

7. It has a number of statutory duties to carry out:
  • Consulting local communities
  • Holding the budget
  • Appointing the Chief Constable and other Chief Police Officers

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the Police Authority, click here.

8. The Police Authority is part of a ‘tripartite system’ for policing which sees responsibility shared between the Home Secretary, the Police Authority and Chief Constable.

Authority News

Authority News For the latest information on the Police Authority, visit our news section.
Click here for the latest updates.
Link to home page