Wiltshire Police Authority - Background

Wiltshire Police Authority is responsible for ensuring that the community in Wiltshire, including the Borough of Swindon, receive an efficient and effective policing service. It holds the Chief Constable to account for delivering this service. The Chief Constable is responsible for all aspects of operational policing. The Police Authority comprises:

• 9 councillors appointed by Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council
   
• 3 magistrates
   
• 5 independent members

One of the main functions of the police authority is to consult local people about their policing needs and priorities. This is done mainly through meetings of our police/community consultative groups. Views expressed are considered by the Authority in determining objectives for the Force and setting challenging targets. The Authority scrutinises performance rigorously and reports to the community on how the Force is doing.

The Police Authority decides the annual police budget and determines how much money should be raised through the council tax. The Police Authority also:

• appoints the chief, deputy and assistant chief constables'
• monitors complaints made against police officers
• publishes an annual policing plan and three year strategic plan
• operates a custody visiting scheme monitoring the welfare of people held in police custody
• monitors all human resource issues such as recruitment, the health and well-being of police officers and staff, training and race equality