The ‘unprecedented innovation’ of police and crime commissioners: Learning from a failed experiment

IMPACTAs English and Welsh police forces prepare for major reform, it is timely to consider police governance. The earlier introduction of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) represented a major innovation, but the model will be abolished from 2028. It has not been sufficiently evaluated. This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of the PCC model in both design and implementation in order to learn wider lessons about governance. Unless this innovation is properly scrutinized, an ineffective alternative may be introduced that fails to address design and implementation flaws. More broadly, opportunities to learn about police governance may be overlooked. The article analyses the model, particularly the representation of the public, the assumptions about leadership, and the dynamics between police and elected politicians. This analysis has implications in and beyond the UK. It will be of particular interest to policy-makers, police professionals and other public services for its insights into effective governance.