Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner
The [Shabana Mahmood|]Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner is the police and crime commissioner, an elected official tasked with overseeing Merseyside Police and setting out the way crime is tackled by the force in the English County of Merseyside. The post was created in November 2012, following an election held on 15 November 2012, and replaced the Merseyside Police Authority. The current incumbent is Emily Spurrell, who was elected on 6 May 2021 and sworn into office on 13 May 2021. Commissioner Spurrell succeeded the inaugural holder, Jane Kennedy.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is required to produce a strategic Police and Crime Plan, setting out the priorities for the Merseyside Police, and their work is scrutinised by the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel, composed of elected councillors from the five local authorities of Merseyside.
Powers and functions
The powers and functions of the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner are derived from the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, replacing those of the Merseyside Police Authority. The main functions are to:- secure an efficient and effective police force for Merseyside
- appoint the chief constable of Merseyside Police, hold them to account for their running of the force and, if necessary, dismiss them
- set the police and crime objectives for Merseyside through a Police and Crime Plan
- set the annual budget and precept level
- contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary
- bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up
Abolition
On 13th November 2025 the Home SecretaryShabana Mahmood MP announced that the roles of the 37 Police and Crime Commissioners in England would be abolished at the end of their terms of office in 2028 when the responsibility will move to elected regional mayors or to council leaders.