Police and Crime Commissioners: the transformation of Police accountability

This work gives an insight into the relationship between Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables and what went on behind closed doors in those early months when PCCs were established and the Police Authority replaced. The work is an extensive and in-depth empirical study, reflecting how these new constitutional actors are flexibly interpreting and discreetly adapting to their responsibilities for governing the police. The authors gained unprecedented access to the PCCs and their Chief Officer teams and undertook confidential interviews with both sides.

The results reveal the inner most workings of the PCCs relationships with the police, the media, partners and the public.