South Wales Police and Crime Panel
The way police policy is formed in the UK changed from November 2012 when a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was elected for every police force area in England and Wales.
The Police and Crime Commissioner appointed for the South Wales Police force area has responsibility for setting the direction of policing in the South Wales Police force, as well as supporting broader community safety activities across the area.
The South Wales Police And Crime Panel (SWPCP)
The Police and Crime Commissioner is subject to scrutiny by a Police and Crime Panel, which provides checks and balances in relation to the performance of the Commissioner and supports the Commissioner in the manner of a critical friend.
The Police and Crime Panel scrutinises the Commissioner and not the Police force. It is the role of the Commissioner to scrutinise the Police. The Panel's role is to scrutinise the performance of the Commissioner and to ensure transparency.
The Members Of The South Wales Police And Crime Panel
In the South Wales Police force area, the members of the Panel are drawn from each of the seven local authorities within the region. Two independent co-opted members also sit on the Panel.
The local authorities are:
- Bridgend County Borough Council Cllr Johanna Llewellyn-Hopkins
- Cardiff Council Cllr Bernie Bowen-Thomson
- Cardiff Council Cllr Peter Littlechild
- Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Cllr John Thomas
- Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Caroline Lewis
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Cllr Bob Harris
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Cllr Louisa Addiscott
- Swansea Council Cllr Mark Tribe
- Swansea Council Cllr Hannah Lawson
- Vale of Glamorgan Council Cllr Sandra Perkes
The two Independent Co-opted members are:
- Mr Mel Jehu (Vice Chair of SWPCP)
- Sarah James
What The South Wales Police And Crime Panel Do
The Panel’s role includes powers to:
- review the draft Police and Crime Plan and make recommendations to the Commissioner, who must have regard to 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-thirds majority the Commissioner’s proposed candidate for Chief Constable; and appoint an acting Commissioner where the incumbent Commissioner is incapacitated, resigns or is disqualified.
Supporting Documents for the South Wales Police and Crime Panel
- Complaints Procedure
- Terms of Reference
- Panel Arrangements
- Rules of Procedure (Amended 7th February 2023)
- Rules of Procedure (Original document 10th April 2018)
Complaints
The appropriate authority for complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales is the South Wales Police and Crime Panel.
The SWPCP will deal with any low-level complaints against the Commissioner or his Deputy; with any serious problems referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The SWPCP is responsible for initial recording of complaints and conduct matters against the Commissioner or his Deputy and for referring any complaints which allege criminality to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Where complaints do not allege criminality, the PCP is responsible for handling and informally resolving these complaints. The PCP will also handle criminal complaints or conduct matters against the PCC and DPCC that have been referred back to it by the IPCC.
If you have a complaint about the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales or a question about the role of the SWPCP, please make your complaint in writing to swpcp@merthyr.gov.uk
The South Wales Police and Crime Panel
c/o MTCBC Democratic Services
Civic Centre, Castle Street
Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN
SWPCP Reports Relating to the Commissioner's Proposed Precept:
SWPCP Reports Relating to the Commissioner's Annual Report:
SWPCP's Expenses and Allowances
South Wales Police and Crime Panel Annual Reports
Video
SWPCP - Deputy Commissioner Presentation - Violence against women