As set out In the Policing Protocol Order 2011.

1. The PCC is the recipient of all funding, including the Government grant and precept and other sources of income, relating to policing and crime reduction and all funding for a Force comes via the PCC.  How this money is allocated is a matter for the PCC in consultation with the Chief Constable, or in accordance with any grant terms.  The Chief Constable provides professional advice and recommendations.

2. The PCC has the legal power and duty to:

• set the strategic direction and objectives of the Force through the Police and Crime Plan (“the Plan”), which must have regard to the Strategic Policing Requirement set by the Home Secretary
• scrutinise, support and challenge the overall performance of the Force including against the priorities agreed within the Plan
• hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the Force’s officers and staff
• decide the budget, allocating assets and funds to the Chief Constable; and set the precept for the Force area
• appoint the Chief Constable (except in London where the appointment is made by the Queen on the recommendation of the Home Secretary)
• remove the Chief Constable subject to following the statutory process
• maintain an efficient and effective Police Force for the Police area
• enter into collaboration agreements with other PCCs, other policing bodies and partners that improve the efficiency or effectiveness of policing for one or more policing bodies or Police Forces in consultation with the Chief Constable (where this relates to the functions of the Police Force, then it must be with the agreement of the Chief Constable)
• provide the local link between the Police and communities, working to translate the legitimate desires and aspirations of the public into action
• hold the Chief Constable to account for the exercise of the functions of the office of Chief Constable and the functions of the persons under the direction and control of the Chief Constable
• publish information specified by the Secretary of State and information that the PCC considers necessary to enable the people who live in the Force area to assess the performance of the PCC and Chief Constable
• comply with all reasonable formal requests from the Police and Crime Panel to attend their meetings
• prepare and issue an annual report to the PCP on the PCC’s delivery against the objectives set within the Plan
• monitor all complaints made against Officers and staff, whilst having responsibility for complaints against the Chief Constable.

3. The PCC must not fetter the operational independence of the Police Force and the Chief Constable who leads it.

4. The PCC also has wider responsibilities than those relating solely to the Police Force, namely:

• a specific responsibility for the delivery of community safety and crime reduction
• the ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at the Force level, except in Wales
• the ability to make crime and disorder reduction grants within their Force area
• a duty to ensure that all collaboration agreements with other local policing bodies and Forces deliver better value for money or enhance the effectiveness of policing capabilities and resilience
• a wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area