The four Welsh Chief Constables have raised concerns about UK Government proposals for Elected Police Commissioners in a letter to Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks.
Chris Franks, the Plaid AM for South Wales Central, was told by the police chiefs that “we are seeing a solution being developed without there being a real problem”.
Chris Franks said: “The proposals from the Con Dem Government are totally unnecessary. This plan will see a new system developed at the cost of millions at a time when the public purse is really stretched.
“There is little evidence of demand for such a radical change and I think this whole episode highlights the case for Welsh solutions for Welsh issues. We need the criminal justice system, including the police service, devolved to the National Assembly.”
Mick Giannasi, Chief Constable of Gwent and chair of ACPO Cymru, on behalf of the four Welsh chief constables, wrote: “Currently, Welsh police authorities have a good mixture of elected and independent members from diverse backgrounds who have a broad range of skills and the ability to represent our communities.
“Whilst the model may not be perfect, they hold chief constables to account and do work very well and are effective. As a result, many of the generic criticism levied against police authorities don’t apply here.
“In many ways we are seeing a solution being developed without there being a real problem and we do have a concern that a major change is being rushed through on the basis of philosophical principle without the detailed having been explained or properly tested.
“Having said that, we also recognised that the government has a democratic mandate and has stated a clear intent to introduce what are called Police and Crime Commissioners in each force area. We are, therefore, working with the Home Office with the aim of highlighting the areas, we believe, are problematic and with a view to developing a working solution.”
