Monitoring delivery and ensuring transparency

Since taking office as Police and Crime Commissioner, I have prioritised improving public access to information about the performance of both the OPCC and Surrey Police.

Our Data Hub, which is the first of its kind, has been nationally recognised as an example of best practice for transparency and information sharing, inspiring other Force areas to adopt similar models.

The Data Hub will continue to provide residents and stakeholders with the ability to monitor the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan, featuring key quantitative measures linked to each priority. We are also working to introduce a more detailed breakdown of progress against specific strands of work. This will include RAG (Red-Amber-Green) ratings and qualitative updates for individual actions.

In addition, I will continue holding regular formal Resource & Efficiency meetings with the Chief Constable and his senior leadership team. To ensure greater transparency, we will make it easier for residents to suggest agenda items and to access updates on the outcomes of these discussions.

Collaboration

Since 2010, Surrey and Sussex Police have worked together successfully on a range of initiatives across operational functions and support services. Their collaborative Operations Command encompasses areas such as Tactical Firearms, Firearms & Command Training, Operational Dogs & Dog Training, Public Order Training, Road Policing, Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation, Firearms and Explosive Licensing, Duties & Resourcing, Specialist Search Drones, and Emergency & Operations Planning.

The Specialist Crime Command adopts a joint approach to managing Homicide and Major Crime Investigations, Serious and Organised Crime, Intelligence, Forensic Investigations (including Digital Forensics), Surveillance, Cyber Crime, and Economic Crime.

Key organisational support portfolios include People Services (covering Learning & Professional Development and Occupational Health), Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT), Change Delivery, and Commercial and Financial Services (covering Finance, Estates, Fleet, Procurement, and Insurance).

Chief Officers overseeing DDaT, Finance, and People Services operate across both forces, focusing on achieving efficiencies and cost savings. This cooperative strategy aims to strengthen frontline policing by eliminating redundancies, streamlining management structures, and optimising support services.

The Police and Crime Commissioner:

• Sets the strategic direction for policing in Surrey through the publication of the Police and Crime Plan
• Sets the budget and precept for policing in Surrey
• Holds the Chief Constable to account for delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and for efficient and effective policing
• Appoints and, if necessary, dismisses the Chief Constable
• Commissions services to help victims cope and recover, services to divert people away from crime and to prevent crime and to rehabilitate perpetrators
• Works with partners to reduce crime and improve community safety in Surrey

The Chief Constable:

• Delivers an efficient and effective policing service which meets the needs of Surrey residents
• Manages the resources and expenditure of the police force
• Is operationally independent of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The Police and Crime Panel:

• Scrutinises the key decisions of the Police and Crime Commissioner
• Reviews and makes recommendations on the Police and Crime Plan
• Reviews and makes recommendations on the proposed policing precept (council tax)
• Holds confirmation hearings for the appointment of the Chief Constable and key staff supporting the Commissioner
• Deals with complaints against the Commissioner

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