West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
Information for applicants for the roles of
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners
Contents
- Welcome
- About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police
- The role of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
- Strategic Policing and Crime Board
5.Appointment and selection process
- Welcome from theWest Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
Closing date for applications:12noon, Friday 19 May 2017
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner. I am seeking two Assistant Commissioners to work with me, one to lead on Young People and the second on Partnerships.
I have the challenging role of ensuring that just under three million people in the West Midlands are served by an efficient and effective police force. The Force is one of the largest in the country with a budget in excess of £540m and around 6,900 police officers and 3000 police staff headed by Chief ConstableDaveThompson.
The world of policing is dynamic and demanding. The West Midlands is large, diverse and complex. To meet these challengesand deliver change, I have a Strategic Policing and Crime Boardwithseven members and the two Assistant PCC roles I’m looking to fill. I welcome applications from anyone with a genuine interest in policing and the delivery of high quality services and performance.
To assist you in completing your application I have provided background information about my Office and West Midlands Police. However please contact my Chief Executive Jonathan Jardine on 0121 609 6987 should you wish to discuss the roles further.
Interviews will take place on the afternoon of 30 May 2017, and I hope that successful appointees can take up their roles on 1 June 2017. The first meeting of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board will take place on Tuesday 6 June 2017.
I look forward to receiving your application.
Kind regards
David Jamieson
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
2. About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police is the second largest police force in England and Wales, covering an area of 384 square miles and serving a population of about 3 million people in over a million households. The Force coversthe major cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, and also includes the busy and thriving districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. The majority of the area is densely populated but there are some rural areas.
The region’s economy has diversified from its historic heavy industry roots in the Industrial Revolution. With the decline in traditional manufacturing, both the public and private sectors have rejuvenated the area. Birmingham has a large commercial and shopping area, complemented by a wide range of social amenities such as the National Exhibition Centre, National Indoor Arena, the International Convention Centre, theatres, galleries and many large conference facilities. The area boasts a thriving nightlife, centred around Birmingham City Centre. West Midlands hosts a number of Premiership and Championship football clubs together with many more in other leagues.
The region is well served by rail and road links. Road and rail travel is supplemented by significant air traffic through Birmingham International and Coventry airports. The area is proud of its academic institutions, being home to a number of universities located in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The population of the West Midlands is diverse. At approximately 34%, the black and minority ethnic population is significantly above the national average, and the Commissioner is committed to making West Midlands Police, and his Office, representative of the population it serves. Approximately 10% of the population were born outside of the UK. The average earnings and house prices for the region are lower than the national average.
There are seven local authorities within the area, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The area is also served by three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Service anda Community Rehabilitation Company, and a number of NHS structures, adding complexity to the partnership landscape. The constituent membership of West Midlands Combined Authority has the same boundary as West Midlands Police, and will be chaired by a directly elected mayor.
West Midlands Police is one of the best performing metropolitan police forces in the country, rated outstanding for its efficiency. Significant and sustained reductions across volume crime have been achieved, along with adaptation to new threats. The Force hosts a Counter Terrorism Unit, the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit, Central Motorway Police Group and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.
Local policing is delivered through eight Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPUs). Other than Birmingham, which because of its size has two NPUs, the other NPUs are coterminous with local authority boundaries. Local policing works alongside Response, Investigation, Contact, Operations, Offender Management, and Public Protection functions, as well as corporate services. West Midlands Police has a reputation for continuous improvement, innovation and empowering leadership with a talent to continuously evolve and meet changing needs. The Force aims to deliver policing that is accessible and responds to the needs of local people. West Midlands Police has faced the biggest financial challenge of any police force in the country. We have already made cuts of over £120 million, with further reductions planned. Partly in response to the financial pressure, but also to improve policing, the Force is working with a private sector partner in a major transformation programme known as WMP2020, incorporating process improvement, investment in new technology and a more efficient structure.
3. Role of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
There are 40 elected police and crime commissioners. Together with the Home Secretary and chief police officers, police and crime commissioners and their equivalents are responsible for policing in England and Wales.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is the local governing body for policing in the West Midlands.The Commissioner has an over-arching duty to secure an effective and efficient police force. The Commissioner has a number of statutory roles, which include:
- representing all those who live and work in the communities in their force area and identifying their policing needs
- setting priorities that meet those needs by agreeing a police and crime plan
- holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving the Commissioner’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible
- setting the force budget.
- hiring and, if necessary, dismissing the Chief Constable
To fulfill these roles, the Commissioner has a range of powers and responsibilities. The Commissioner:
- must produce a Police and Crime Plan. The current plan is here:
- must produce an Annual Report. The most recent annual report is here:
- must set the policing "precept", which is the part of local council tax that goes to policing. Follow this link for more information:
- appoints and, if necessary, dismisses the Chief Constable
- makes Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants
- has oversight of how complaints against the police are managed
- must keep under review opportunities for collaboration
- has duties relating to national criminal threats, safeguarding of children, and consulting the public
- has a role in ensuring the effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system
- commissions services for victims of crime, and develops restorative justice services in our area
The Commissioner is supported in his work by a team headed by a Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. Further information on the work of the Commissioner and the statutory framework in which the Commissioner works can be found on our website:
The Commissioner is supported and scrutinised by a separate Police and Crime Panel. The Panel is made up of twelve councillors from across the West Midlands and two independent members. Information on the work of the Panel can be found at
Further information on West Midlands Police can be found at
4. Strategic Policing and Crime Board
The Strategic Policing and Crime Board ensures that the Commissioner is able to effectively engage and represent all areas of the West Midlands and to support the Commissioner in his role of ensuring an efficient and effective police service for the West Midlands through the setting of the strategic direction for the Force and holding the Chief Constable to account for the exercise of his functions. Currently there are seven members in addition to the Assistant PCCs, who are diverse in age, ethnicity and gender.
Meetings of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board take place fortnightly, and every second one will take place in public. Meetings are on Tuesdays.
The principal terms of reference for the Board, which will work as a team under the leadership and direction of the Commissioner, are to:
- maintain an overview of the implementation of the Commissioner’s manifesto in order to ensure consistency in approach but having regard to the differing needs in the West Midlands
- assist the Commissioner to monitor the implementation and achievement of the Police and Crime Plan and support the Commissioner in any work required to vary the Plan during his term of office
- scrutinise, support and challenge the overall performance of the force including against the priorities agreed within the Plan
- advise the Commissioner in exercising his functions in setting the budget and precept.
- ensure the effective working of arrangements for consulting with and engaging local residents, communities and victims of crime
- ensure effective working with local authorities and other partners and advise the Commissioner on their effectiveness in achieving the outcomes from his award of crime and disorder reduction grants.
- advise and support the Commissioner in his decision making role and in holding the Chief Constable to account
- support the Commissioner more generally in the fulfilment of his statutory duties, to include equalities and human rights obligations.
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners – the two roles
The holders of these roles will carry out duties as set out in the role descriptions and will be focussed broadly in these policy areas:
Post 1 – Young People
To support delivery of the Commissioner’s objectives concerning young people, crime and confidence in policing. This will include oversight of Youth Commissioners, Stop & Search, Gangs and Violence Commission, substance misuse, Police Cadets, and liaison with schools, Colleges and Universities.
Post 2 – Partnership
To support delivery of the Commissioner’s objectives for local partnership working and public sector collaboration, including working with the West Midlands Mayor and Combined Authority, Local Authorities, the National Health Service, the wider Criminal Justice System and other agencies.
Other areas of duties will be determined by discussion, which will include geographic responsibility for parts of the West Midlands area.
The role profile of the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners is shown in the following tables.
1
Strategic Police and Crime Board
Board Member Roles
Board Member / Role / Knowledge and skillsAssistant PCCs / To support the PCC generally in the exercise of the PCC’s statutory functions and delivering the Police and Crime Plan
To have a commitment to delivery of the PCC’s manifesto and the political ambitions of the PCC.
To help the PCC to uphold the very high standards of public life detailed in the Nolan Principles
To proactively contribute to the working of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board
To exercise such decision making powers as may be delegated
To undertake on behalf of the PCC community engagement and consultation activities
To represent the PCC as required
To act as a critical friend and to provide advice and challenge as appropriate
To help promote equality and diversity within the Force and across the West Midlands / Knowledge:-
- Crime and policing strategy and policy and PCC manifesto
- Local and community issues, covering large geographical areas within the West Midlands, often with different issues and complexities in rural and urban issues
- Governance of a public body and governing board membership
- Leadership
- Chairing meetings
- Networking with community interests
- Problem solving
- Holding to account
- Oversight of strategic budgets and financial management
- Responsiveness to equalities, diversity and human rights issues
- Communication with citizens and local groups in a variety of geographic areas
- Working with the Chief Constable and other senior officers
- Working with local authorities and other partners
- Oversight and knowledge of professional standards and complaints matters on behalf of the PCC
- Involvement in commissioning and grant making on behalf of the PCC
- Delegated decision making
- Contribution to Strategic Board discussion
- Advice to PCC in decision making role
5. APPOINTMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process will be based upon the principles set out in the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments which relate to ministerial appointments to public bodies. These principles are that appointments be made on merit by an objective, fair and open selection process.
The closing date for applications will be:
12 noon, Friday 19 May 2017with interviews being held on the afternoon of 30 May 2017 conducted by the Commissioner, the Chief Executive, and an independent participant.
Applications must consist of:
- a completed application form
- a completed vetting form
- a completed diversity monitoring form
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners will be engaged on a 12 month contract for services, with potential for annual renewal. Appointees will not be employees or members of staff of the PCC.
The contract for services will be liable for termination by the Commissioner at any time with immediate effect without any further payment other than outstanding fees. The contract for services will include a requirement for regular reviews of performance under the contract. A detailed list of the terms of appointment is set out in this pack.
Fees:
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners will be paid a daily rate set according to the skills and experience of the candidate.
The time commitment expected of APCCs will be between 15and 37 hours per week by negotiation. Attendance at required meetings and events will be monitored and failure to attend meetings without good reason may lead to deduction from fees or termination of the contract.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge set out in the table above, and that they have flexibility to accommodate other meetings and events as required by the Commissioner.
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
- Terms and conditions of appointment:-
a)Appointees will not be employees or members of staff of the PCC and will be engaged under a contract for services. The applicant must acknowledge that there is no contract of employment with the PCC.
b)Appointees will be required to provide the contracted services with due care, skill and to act in the best interests of the PCC in accordance with the directions and powers of the PCC.
c)Qualification provisions – applicants must:-
- Be over 18 years of age;
- Be resident in the West Midlands County;
- Not be a serving police officer or employed police staff;
- Not be subject to a bankruptcy or debt relief order or restriction;
- Not be subject to disqualification as a company director;
- Not within 5 years prior to the date of the application have been convicted in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of an offence and has had passed a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months. (Full disclosure of previous convictions will be required.)
- Satisfy the citizenship condition as set out in Section 68 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
d)Appointees will be responsible for payment of income tax and national insurance.
e)Any claims made against the PCC in respect of services provided to the PCC under the contract for services shall be the responsibility of the appointee. This includes any claims for tax and national insurance liabilities. Appointees will be required to indemnify the PCC in respect of any liability, costs and expenses.
f)Appointees will be required to have indemnity insurance in respect of public liability and negligence in undertaking duties (appointees will however be indemnified when acting under delegation from the PCC and carrying out PCC duties and functions in good faith).
g)Appointees will be contracted for the duration of the PCC’s terms of office and appointments will terminate in the event of the PCC ceasing to hold office for any reason or in the event of the PCC giving notice of removal
h)Appointments will be made to an individual person only and not to a corporate body and accordingly any fees will only be payable to the individual appointed.
i)The appointee will not be permitted under any circumstances to sub-contract the work involved in the appointment. Any additional work required by a third party will be subject to separate contractual arrangements undertaken through the PCC’s office.
j)Notice of removal may take effect at any time and no period of notice will be required.
k)There will be no obligation on the PCC to pay any fees or damages in the event of termination in respect of early termination except fees payable to the date of termination only.
l)Fees – will be paid gross on the first day of each month without any element of gratuity or additional fee on delivery of an invoice from the appointee. If the appointee is registered for VAT, VAT shall be charged at the prevailing rate.