Government right to look again at police direct elections

December 18, 2008

Independent think tank the New Local Government Network today welcomed the government’s change of heart over directly elected representatives on police authorities.

NLGN had warned that plans for direct elections to police boards could lead to a blurring of accountability lines between councillors and directly elected members.

It urged the Home Secretary to keep police accountability top of her agenda but to look at how locally elected councillors could play more of a role in governing police forces, including council leaders who demonstrate clear leadership given more a powerful role in directing local policing.

In 2007 NLGN published proposals to scrap police authorities and return their powers to elected council leaders, claiming that the changes would not only save millions of pounds which could be pumped into front line policing but also give local people greater influence over local policing.

Deputy Director Anna Turley said:

“We are pleased that the government are looking again at this issue. While we are keen to see greater local accountability in policing, these proposals would have dangerously undermined the importance of existing locally elected representatives in tackling crime and protecting the public.”

“Local councillors are close to their communities, understand local priorities and are best placed to see policing as part of a wider local approach to improving our neighbourhoods.”

“We welcome the opportunity provided by the forthcoming review to look again at this issue, and would like to see existing elected representatives, and through them our communities, put back at the heart of policing.”

“We look forward to working with David Blunkett and the Home Office to find a more appropriate way forward.”


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