The government’s devolution agenda in England is set to transform the landscape of policing and crime governance. As part of this plan, more mayors will take on the responsibilities of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) – starting with five of the six areas shortlisted in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, where new mayors could be elected by May 2026. This move is intended to create a more integrated and accountable system of local governance, where mayors with multi-year funding and broader policy remits can oversee policing and crime functions.
The Challenge
The transfer of PCC powers to mayors is a significant shift. Historically, PCCs have been responsible for setting strategic direction, holding police forces to account, and managing budgets. The expansion of mayors with multi-year funding and broader policy remits – which builds on models including Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire – necessitates a careful transition to ensure continuity and effective policing.
Leapwise was commissioned by the APCC, along with partners at the Local Government Association and Association of Policing and Crime Chief Executives, to lead a comprehensive programme of engagement and research to support this transition. The aim of the project was to learn from areas where PCC powers have already been transferred to mayors, identify what worked well (and what didn’t), and use these insights to create a comprehensive guidebook for the areas that are next in line for devolution. This guidebook would serve as a valuable resource for both PCCs’ offices and for local authority teams.
Our Approach
We engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including those who had already experienced the devolution process and those who were preparing for it.
- We conducted 24 interviews with PCCs, Deputy Mayors, local authorities, combined authority staff and operational police personnel, as well as engaging with central government stakeholders and key membership bodies.
- We ran four workshops with stakeholders who have either been through the devolution process or are preparing for it, to understand the issues and create an environment for sharing advice.
- We conducted a thorough analysis of the data to identify key lessons.
Results
Our research culminated in the creation of a comprehensive ‘how-to’ guide designed to assist the transferal of PCC powers to a mayor’s office. The guide includes:
- Pros and cons for different options: We evaluated various governance structures and operational models, such as appointing a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, providing a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- A checklist for how to transfer powers: We developed a detailed checklist detailing all the essential steps and design choices that need to be navigated to ensure a smooth transfer of powers, from initial planning to final implementation – ensuring nothing is overlooked.
- Guidance for chief officers: This guide includes practical advice on how senior policing leaders can negotiate relationships with new mayoral offices. This section addresses potential challenges and offers strategies for building effective working relationships, drawing on wider Leapwise work and APCC guidance.
The transition of PCC powers to mayors is hoped to enhance the integration of public services, providing a more joined-up approach to community safety and crime reduction. By learning from existing models and engaging with stakeholders, we aim to ensure new governance arrangements are effective and responsive to local needs.
The insights gained from this project will continue to inform future devolution efforts, contributing to a more accountable and effective policing landscape in England.
“Leapwise take the time to really get beneath the surface of issues [and] were able to bring together a disparate range of complex issues and turn them into comprehensive and cohesive guidance… It is an excellent product.”
Phil Golding, APCC CEO
What other public sector organisations can learn from this
The devolution of PCC powers to mayors represents a significant opportunity to reshape local governance and improve public safety. Other public sector organisations can learn from this project by understanding the importance of building from existing models and taking a pro-active approach to dealing with potential blockers to success.
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