The Authority …

...Sets the Budget
The budget is set annually in February for the coming year commencing 1 April. Almost 25 per cent of funds are raised by local council tax, the remainder coming from Government grants.

...Sets Policing Priorities and Targets
Policing priorities and targets are set and published in the Policing Plan and the Strategic Plan. Both Plans take account of feedback from consultation, as well as the objectives in the National Community Safety Plan.

The annual Policing Plan is published before the end of March each year and includes the Best Value Performance Plan, which shows how police services are being reviewed and what improvements have been made.

The Strategic Plan is issued by the end of March every three years. However, the first Strategic Plan is for just two years, 2003/05, to bring the timing into line with the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategies.

...Measures and reports on Performance
Using detailed performance data, the Authority regularly scrutinises how the Constabulary is performing against its targets and relative to the performance of other forces.

Feedback from local consultation groups, from public meetings and from surveys, such as the British Crime Survey, is also used to gauge satisfaction with police services.

In addition to the Policing Plan and Strategic Plan targets, national Statutory Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Public Service Agreements are used as indicators of performance. External monitoring is also carried out by the Audit Commission, and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

The Authority publishes an Annual Report on the performance of the police against targets.

...Appoints Senior Police Officers
The Authority appoints and, if necessary disciplines and dismisses the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable.

...Works in Partnership
The Authority shares with the Constabulary and county, district and borough councils the legal responsibility for local crime and disorder.

That shared responsibility includes the need to carry out regular crime audits and to produce three year Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategies.

...Owns and Manages Police Property
The Authority is the legal owner of all police properties.

...Consults with the Public
Finding out what people think of their police services is one of the Authority’s key responsibilities. Knowing what services are important to people and how well they are being delivered is fundamental to every other aspect of Authority and Constabulary work.

...Manages Independent Custody Visitors
The Authority appoints, trains and manages Independent Custody Visitors, who work on its behalf to monitor the welfare of people detained in police cells. Custody Visitors call, unannounced, and talk in confidence to prisoners. Problems, comments and complaints are reported directly to the Authority.

...Monitors the Complaints Process
The Authority’s 10 Police Authority Lead (PALs) members are responsible for checking each complaint file to ensure that complaints’ procedures are carried out properly. Formal monitoring is carried out by the Authority’s Performance Scrutiny Committee.

...Convenes Police Appeal Tribunals
Police Appeal Tribunals are convened by the Authority and provide officers up to the rank of Superintendent with the right of appeal on a serious disciplinary matter.