Jeanie Bell is Merseyside’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC).
Cllr Jeanie Bell was confirmed as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside by the Police and Crime Panel in December 2022, starting work the following January.
She works alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, supporting her to deliver her vision and priorities for the region, focusing on three key pillars:
- Fighting Crime; Proactive Policing.
- Supporting Victims; Safer Communities.
- Driving Change; Prevent Offending.
As Deputy PCC, Jeanie can deputise for the Commissioner when necessary. She also has responsibility for a range of portfolios including Modern Slavery, substance misuse and addictions and neurodiversity in the criminal justice system.
Cllr Jeanie Bell has served the people of St Helens since May 2014, after being elected as a Councillor for Newton-le-Willows.
She has held two cabinet portfolios since August 2015, starting with Public Health and Wellbeing, before taking the lead for Safer, Stronger Communities in May 2019.
In this role, she led on policy changes and campaigns on domestic abuse, housing allocation, sexual health and the Borough’s first housing strategy.
Jeanie also worked to drive significant improvements in licensing and safeguarding standards as the Local Government Association Licensing Champion, having previously served as the Council’s Chair of Licensing. Outside of the Council, she worked at the Brain Charity as their lead on criminal justice.
Prior to being elected to serve the ward of Newton-le-Willows, Cllr Bell was a curriculum leader and lecturer in public services at St Helens College, as well as being a key worker for young people aged 14-16 who were not in education, employment, or training. She has also worked in secure units with young people who had committed offences and in secure hospitals with people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions who had committed crimes or were at high risk of offending in community.
Jeanie lives in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, with her husband Rodney, children Heather, Will and Rosie, as well as her dog Daisy and cat Ginger.
Following her appointment, Jeanie said: “I have been passionate about championing the interests of the people I represent and working to build stronger, safer communities, both in my roles prior to becoming a Councillor and since being elected to serve the people of St Helens.
“Over the last eight years, I have been committed to working with a host of partners to make a difference in the communities I’ve served, and I am excited about having the opportunity to support and work alongside the Police Commissioner, helping to give a strong voice to people from across the whole of Merseyside.
“This is a great opportunity to work with a whole range of partners on some of the issues that matter most to our communities – crime, anti-social behaviour, protecting the vulnerable and caring for victims – and I am really excited to start work.”
Following her appointment as Deputy PCC, Jeanie stepped down from her cabinet role with St Helens Council but continues to represent Newton-le-Willows ward.
Jeanie works in the Commissioner’s office as a political appointment, three days a week, earning £33,537 per annum.
Jeanie was chosen by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, after an open and transparent recruitment process which saw 14 people apply for the part-time position and four people interviewed.