Local Policing Authorities Bill

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provide means to make the police more accountable to local communities by creating Local Policing Authorities, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Section One - Definitions

In this Act:

(1) "Local Policing Authority" means an independent body established under this Act to oversee the operations of the police at a local level, and report on police operations back to local communities;

(2) "Police" refers to the police forces operating within the jurisdiction of England;

(3) "Local community" refers to the residents and businesses within a defined geographical area.

Section Two - Local Policing Authorities

(1) A Local Policing Authority shall be established in each police force area within England by the Secretary of State.

(2) Each Local Policing Authority shall be constituted as an independent body, separate from the police force it oversees, serving as a board separate from the Independent Office for Police Conduct to be a local community voice on matters of policing priorities.

(3) A Local Policing Authority shall consist of:

(a) Five elected representatives from the local community, to be elected by registered electors residing in the police force area in an ordinary election by Single Transferable Vote;
(b) No more than five independent members with relevant expertise, including legal, community, and human rights representatives;
(c) A representative from the police force area;
(d) Any additional members as deemed necessary by the Secretary of State.

(4) Local Policing Authorities shall have the following functions and powers:

(a) Oversight of the police force operating within their respective areas;
(b) Developing policing plans and priorities in consultation with the local community;
(c) Reviewing police performance and ensuring accountability to the local community;
(d) Handling complaints except those which make allegations of misconduct against police officers or other staff employed by the police force;
(e) Forwarding complaints regarding misconduct against police officers and other members of staff of the area police force which are sent to the LPA on to the IOPC;
(f) Developing policies and procedures for the engagement and consultation of the local community;
(g) Promoting diversity, equality, and community relations within the police force;
(h) Summoning the Chief Constable of the police force area to answer questions and be held to account.

Section Three - Appointments and Reporting

(1) Elected representatives to the Local Policing Authorities shall be elected by the local community for a term of four years.

(2) Independent members shall be appointed by the Secretary of State for a term of four years, subject to renewal.

(3) The representative from the police force area shall be nominated by the Chief Constable for a term of four years, subject to renewal.

(4) Local Policing Authorities shall submit annual reports to the Secretary of State, detailing their activities, findings, and recommendations. These reports shall be made publicly available and circulated to councillors and members of parliament in the police force area.

(5) Local Policing Authorities shall hold monthly public meetings in different locations within the Authorities' jurisdiction to discuss matters related to police operations and engage with the local community.

Section Four - Extent, Commencement and Short Title

(1) This Act extends to England only.

(2) This Act comes into force six months after receiving Royal Assent.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Local Policing Authorities Act 2023.

This Bill was written by His Grace the Most Honourable Sir /u/Sephronar KG KCT GBE LVO PC MP MSP FRS, the 1st Duke of Hampshire, 1st Marquess of St Ives, 1st Earl of St Erth, 1st Baron of Truro on behalf of His Majesty’s 33rd Government.

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

The Casey Review of crime and communities suggested that a majority of the British public want information about what is being done to tackle crime - and anti-social behaviour - in their area.

In a well functioning system, such information should make the police more accountable to their local communities, and more responsible to their needs - both in turn increasing public confidence in the police.

Presently, the police do engage with communities through certain groups and activities such as community speedwatch, meetings with town and parish councillors, and giving talks at local schools in their area; but the standard framework simply just does not exist at the moment - I believe to the detriment of both our police and of our communities.

How many of us could honestly say that we know what our local policing priorities are? How many of us know our local crime statistics? Do you have a local pub/shopwatch scheme? All of these things should be common knowledge to our communities, but they are not because the system of accountability and dissemination of information is inadequate. That is exactly what this Bill seeks to address.

By creating the Local Policing Authorities, we are building that framework needed for local communities to respond to crime - by being educated about it, local communities can have a say about that crime, with local representatives having an input in the decisions made. By liaising with the local police inspectors, community representatives are enabled and empowered by information.

This is a natural progression from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, and will ensure that our police is properly democratised and responds to what the local communities need - are sufficiently resourced - and build confidence back up in our police once more.

This division will end on Friday 25th August at 10pm BST.