Clause 77 - Police authorities to produce three-year strategy plans
Police Reform Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Ms Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment No. 68, in page 70, leave out line 36 and insert
'In considering the draft plan, the police authority'.
The position of the police authority is absolutely crucial throughout the Bill, and the amendment emphasises the role that we think the police authority should play. The clause is clear that the police authority will be responsible for issuing the three-year strategy plan. Naturally, the chief officer will produce a draft and must be mindful of local opinion during that process. We want to ensure that the police authority makes contact with the local community. That is its legitimate role and such input is an important part of the tripartite system that we have discussed so much.
The Bill confuses the roles of the police authority and the chief officer in many ways. The amendment would reinforce with whom we believe the consultation should occur and the police authority's role, rather than that of the chief officer.