Supporting the work of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
The Panel is next due to meet on Friday 24 September (10.30am start) at County Hall, Lewes.
The substantive items of focus for scrutiny at this month’s meeting are:
- the Commissioner’s role in Sussex Police’s use of Stop and search powers
- Police and Crime Plan Public Priority 3 – Support victims and safeguard the vulnerable.
In accordance with the latest Public Health guidance, seating in the public gallery will be limited. Members of the public are instead encouraged to follow proceedings via the live webcast, accessible from 10.30am on the day of the meeting.
Any member of the public wishing to attend in person should contact us to reserve one of the available seats.
The Panel’s main duties
Each police force area has a Police and Crime Panel to provide checks and balances in relation to the performance of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The role of the Panel is to scrutinise the performance of the Commissioner and ensure transparency.
Elections for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex were held on 6 May 2021. The website for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner contains more information about the elections, as well as further details about the Commissioner’s role and work.
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel came into being on 1 November 2012 and meets a minimum of four times a year.
Its role includes powers to:
- review the draft Police and Crime Plan and make recommendations to the Commissioner, who must consider them
- review the Commissioner’s annual report and make recommendations at a public meeting, which the Commissioner must attend
- deal with complaints about the Commissioner
- require the Commissioner to attend the Panel to answer questions
- veto the Commissioner’s proposed precept by a two-thirds majority
- veto by a two-third’s majority the Commissioner’s proposed candidate for Chief Constable
- appoint an acting Commissioner where the incumbent Commissioner is incapacitated, resigns or is disqualified.
