Police and crime commissioners and civil society

The Police and crime commissioners and civil society report shares best practice to develop further collaboration between police and crime commissioners and civil society.  The report explores some of the ways that civil society organisations and police and crime commissioners (PCCs) work together. It provides examples to illustrate positive working relationships between PCCs and civil society. It has been compiled through a partnership of the Cabinet Office, Home Office and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

PCCs are elected by the public to ensure the policing needs of communities are met as effectively as possible. Their aim is to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service in their area. PCCs provide the local link between the police and communities. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime. The Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) has traditionally been involved in delivering crime reduction and supporting police and criminal justice related activities. These organisations provide support to victims and offenders, mentors to tackle reoffending, and offer a range of community support, diversion and preventative activity. This report explores some of the ways in which civil society organisations and PCCs work together. It highlights some interesting practice and opportunities for future collaboration.  Findings from this work have been shared with the VCSE strategic partners and compliment recent research from Clinks (an organisation which supports, represents, and campaigns for charities working with offenders) and a guide to working with PCCs soon to be published by Compact Voice.