The role of chief constable

Outline the role and powers of a Chief Constable.

The local police force in the UK are headed by chief constables and supervised by the local police authority. Though Metropolitan Police and the City of London force are headed by commissioners, which are different from the local police service.

All forces are under the ultimate control of the Home Office, but chief constables have great freedom of action in operational matters, independently of their police authorities.

Chief constables have statutory responsibilities separate from those laid on police authorities. His/her role and power are:

1.He/she delivers the policies agreed by their police authority on the ground.

2.He/she must have regard to the police plan, but has wide scope for personal decisions. It is he/she who us sued, not the police authority, if things go wrong.

3.He/she appoints all officers under assistant chief constable rank, as well as the force's civilian staff.

4.He/she choose one of the assistant chief constable as his/her deputy.

5.He/she produces an annual report and statistics on their performance in the preceding 12 months, covering specific categories of offence, along with other areas highlighted as being of local concern, such as violent crime, and disciplining officers who misconduct.

6.He/she can be asked by the police authority to produce a report on specific matter as well.

7.He/she can refuse to comply on grounds of the public interest, but Home Secretary must approve the refusal.

8.The chief constable and his/her assistant are responsible for managing the force's budget; hiring and firing other officers; and ensuring that personnel are suitably distributed to maintain adequate patrols across the force area.

The police authority appoints the chief constable, but the appointment must be approved by the Home Secretary, who also appoints assistant chief constables.