Sussex Police Authority
Sussex Police Authority
What is Sussex Police Authority?
Sussex Police Authority is an independent body that governs Sussex Police. It has responsibility for appointing Chief Officers, setting the policing budget, scrutinising Force performance, ensuring that Sussex voices are able to shape the Local Policing Plan and ensuring that Sussex Police deliver their Serving Sussex Pledge.
Who is Sussex Police Authority?
Sussex Police Authority consists of 17 members of the Sussex community. Nine are councillors, elected to East and West Sussex County Councils and Brighton and Hove City Council, and are appointed to the Police Authority to reflect the political balance of those Councils.
The remaining eight posts are filled by independent members appointed by the Authority's councillor members following public advertisements, short-listing and interview. At least one of these independent members must be a magistrate; currently Sussex Police Authority has three magistrates.
The Police Authority is supported by a Chief Executive and Solicitor based at County Hall, Lewes and a Treasurer based at County Hall, Chichester, as well as a team of officers who work closely with Sussex Police and partners in order to achieve the goals of the Authority.
What does Sussex Police Authority do?
Members of Sussex Police Authority scrutinise and support the work of Sussex Police, working alongside the Chief Constable to provide an effective policing service for the people of Sussex and wherever possible, to improve on that service.
Sussex Police Authority works to four main priorities.
- It sets the strategic direction for policing in Sussex.
- It engages with and listens to the public about what they want from policing in Sussex.
- It scrutinises the performance of Sussex Police.
- It ensures the people of Sussex get value for their money from Sussex Police
To find out more about the Police Authority, to tell us your local policing priorities or to make a complaint visit www.sussexpoliceauthority.gov.uk
Changes to Sussex Police Authority
In September 2011 the Coalition Government passed the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act. This Act included legislation that will see Police Authorities throughout the country being replaced with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
The Act states that on 15 November 2012 people up and down the country will vote for one person, in their police force area, to represent them for policing for the next four years.
This will mean a significant shift in power from 17 members of a current Police Authority to one person who will represent the whole county.
To find out more about this change to police accountability and how it might affect you visit www.sussexpcc.co.uk