Emily elected as Chair of Association of PCCs
29.09.24 - Merseyside
Emily Spurrell has been elected as Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).
Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) takes over as APCC Chair from Donna Jones, PCC for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for a two year term.
The APCC is an apolitical and impartial membership organisation that supports PCCs in the development of policy.
Its membership is made up of all Police and Crime Commissioners, Police Fire and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors with responsibility for policing in England and Wales (22 Labour; 19 Conservative; one Plaid Cymru).
APCC Associate Members are: British Transport Police Authority, Civil Nuclear Police Authority, Ministry of Defence Police Committee, Police Scotland, and Jersey Police Authority.
Following the vote by the APCC’s membership at its Annual General Meeting on 27 September, Emily Spurrell said:
“I am enormously proud and grateful to be elected as Chair of the APCC by my fellow Police and Crime Commissioners, PFCCs and Deputy Mayors. On behalf of all APCC’s members, I would like to thank Donna Jones for her work and dedication during her time as Chair.
“Police and Crime Commissioners’ key focus is on local priorities such as reducing anti-social behaviour, making our streets safer, and reducing violence against women and girls and youth violence. These are very much aligned with the new government’s stated aims and, as the voice of the public in policing, we look forward to working with ministers to achieve these goals.
“Whilst we need to ensure our police have the tools they need to combat crime, we would all rather the offences were not being committed in the first place. I want to see more of a focus on prevention to divert those at risk of being drawn into crime, and on rehabilitation to reduce the high rate of reoffending that sees offenders stuck in a revolving door going in and out of our hugely overcrowded prisons and putting strain on an overstretched Probation Service.
“After a difficult few years which has required policing to reflect carefully on its relationship with the public, PCCs have been key to driving cultural change within forces in order to rebuild public confidence and, as APCC Chair, I will continue to work with police leaders to deliver a service of which all our communities feel proud.
“In recent months, we have seen the very best of our police service – officers running towards danger to protect the public and places of worship, standing up against racism and thuggery. There’s no doubt there are challenges ahead, but I’m hugely proud to take up this role at a time of fresh optimism and hope for the future, to work with all our partners to build safer streets for communities across England and Wales.”
Outgoing APCC Chair, Donna Jones, said:
“Emily has my very best wishes as she assumes the role of APCC Chair. My time representing Police and Crime Commissioners at a national level has been incredibly busy but greatly rewarding, too. During a period when the need for scrutiny of our police has never been more marked, I have worked hard to champion PCCs’ role in that and am confident that Chief Constables now understand the value of such scrutiny on behalf of the public they serve.
“I was particularly pleased to secure £1 million of Home Office funding for the APCC which is supporting the organisation in its work to strengthen the functions of PCCs and increase their profile.
“As advocates for our local communities, Police and Crime Commissioners have a vital role to play in delivering an effective and efficient police service that not only solves but prevents crime, whilst working across and beyond policing to put in place the best possible support for victims, and rehabilitation of offenders.
“I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Joint APCC Lead on Criminal Justice at such a critical time. I very much look forward to continuing to work with Emily as she picks up the baton of Chair to continue shaping a successful future for PCCs.”