Police Authority Board Member role

Date updated: 1/05/2024

Appointment

Appointed by the Court of Common Council for a term up to a maximum of four years. There is a maximum continuous service limit of three terms of four years.

Overall Responsibilities

As a Member of the Police Authority Board to:

To hold the Police Commissioner and the Force to account, ensuring the Force is accountable to the communities they serve.
To contribute proactively to the oversight and scrutiny of the Force’s strategic priorities as set out in the Policing Plan.
To monitor and challenge crime performance, the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force, and the provision of value for money.

Time Commitment

Attending 12 Police Authority Boards per year.
Attending Police Authority Board (sub) Committees as appropriate.
Undertaking Special Interest Area responsibilities as appropriate.

Background

The role of the City of London Police Authority is to provide scrutiny and challenge to the work of the City of London Police (CoLP). In discharging more than 60 statutory duties, the Police Authority must ensure that CoLP delivers efficient and effective policing for the public within a sustainable medium- term financial plan (MTFP), and hold the City of London Police Commissioner to account for the delivery of policing within the Square Mile and in its capacity as the national lead force for economic crime as set out in the Policing Plan.

The City is exceptional in retaining a police authority in the form of the Court of Common Council, acting through the City of London Police Authority Board to which the Common Council has delegated its general functions. The Police Authority Board provides a directly elected scrutiny body mirroring the model deployed for Police & Crime Commissioners (PCCs). In fulfilling its role, the Police Authority Board and its Committees must be mindful of public confidence in policing, ensure the Force provides value for money, and that the needs of local communities are met as effectively as possible by CoLP.

Key Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a Police Authority Board Member through membership of, and participation at, meetings of the City of London Police Authority Board or its committees are as follows:

to hold the Police Commissioner and the Force to account, ensuring the Force is accountable to the communities they serve;
to contribute proactively to the oversight and scrutiny of the Force’s strategic priorities as set out in the Policing Plan;
to monitor and challenge crime performance, the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force, and the provision of value for money;
to be committed to the delivery of a fair and equitable policing service to all of our communities;
to contribute proactively to the oversight and scrutiny of the Force’s policies, strategies and service delivery;
to make sure that the principles of equality and fairness are integral to all actions and policies of the Force;
to participate in any committee, panel, or special interest area to which they are appointed on behalf of the Police Authority Board;
to develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Force’s and the City Corporation’s services, management arrangements, powers, duties and resource constraints;
to develop and maintain a good knowledge of the Policing Plan and the corporate polices of the City Corporation;
to promote effective and efficient policing and establish constructive partnerships with the City of London Police and other relevant bodies;
to adhere to the City Corporation’s code of conduct and Seven Principles of Public Life.