The Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner 

My role is to ensure an efficient and effective police force for Suffolk and to hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the public.

In carrying out my functions, I will have regard to the general equality duty on public bodies under the Equality Act 2010 to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Equality Act;
  • advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and to
  • foster good relations between such groups.

The Equality Act 2010 requires me to publish one or more equality objectives. I have established three objectives and wherein I will:

  • ensure that all who engage with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are treated fairly and in accordance with their legal rights and legitimate expectations;
  • ensure transparency of information relating to equality;
  • engage with Suffolk’s communities to understand their needs and ensure they are taken into account in the delivery of policing and services to victims.

I will have full regard to these objectives, and the equality objectives set separately by the Chief Constable, in producing my Police and Crime Plan and its accompanying performance monitoring arrangements.

Holding to account

I have a responsibility to hold the Chief Constable to account in relation to his equality duties.

The Chief Constable reports regularly to the Accountability and Performance Panel on a range of policing functions, including reports on workforce diversity, complaints (including breakdown of complainants and nature of complaints) and the use of stop and search (including the work with the Stop and Search Reference Group).

More information about Stop and Search.