Police bosses to face new public panels
Senior police officers will be grilled by the residents they serve as part of new 'people panels' in parts of Staffordshire.
Cannock and South Staffordshire have both been chosen to trial the new bodies, known as Safer Neighbourhood Panels, as part of a scheme to make police officers more accountable to the people they serve.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is rolling out the programme early next year in Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, and Staffordshire Moorlands with a view to expand it across the entire county later in the year.
The panels will be made up of around a dozen residents and will also have input from magistrates and councillors.
Mr Ellis said: "This will bring accountability of the senior police officer in your area. This is part of my drive for greater transparency and openness and means residents will directly be able to hold those responsible for policing their streets to book.
"These panels will be serious and take place with front line commanders and act as a sounding board for how policing should be done.
"This will make communities better connected than at any time in the last 20 years."
The panels will meet every two to three months and will have the ability to shape how they operate - with the potential to create sub-panels.
The appointment process will start early in the new year.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williams said: "I think this is really positive news. Even though South Staffordshire is a very low crime area, on many of the surveys I do in my constituency, crime is a key issue of concern and is something people really want to have their voice heard on. Improving accountability and openness of the police can only improve this and I think this is a a move that should be applauded."
George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: "We were very keen in working in partnership and wanted to get in first so made an enthusiastic bid to bring this panel to Cannock Chase.
"I understand they will be very and the local Chief Inspector will have to turn up.
"Speaking as a victim of crime myself recently following a spate of shed break-ins, crime is a concern to everyone.
"We are told crime is falling but of course the fear is that so much crime happens that a lot of it is not bothered to be reported.
"This move will bring the police closer to the community which we welcome."
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