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PCCs can ‘reset the default position on public engagement with politicians through digital technology’

APCC launches guidance to help Police and Crime Commissioners overhaul the way in which politicians interact with the public.

As Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) take up their new offices today, 22.11.12, the APCC has launched ‘Digital Democracy: Building new relationships with the public‘ <http://www.apccs.police.uk/page/PCC%20Guidance>  to help PCCs make the most of the opportunities presented by digital media.

Most of the ways in which the public can influence politicians were set over 100 years ago.  Public meetings, votes, letters, phone calls and in our generation, emails, will continue to help the public to influence those who oversee public services on their behalf.  But Police and Crime Commissioners represent a new opportunity to transform the ways in which the public’s voice is heard.

Written in conjunction with digital communications experts, Public-i, the APCC’s guidance challenges the status quo and through straightforward advice and case studies shows how technology can help PCCs to interact with the public.

Amidst a challenging campaigning context, many PCC candidates used social networking to communicate with the electorate and took their digital footprint seriously. Our analysis of all PCCs’ main concerns <http://www.apccs.police.uk/page/pcc-candidates> * showed that community engagement is at the top of their priority list.  This best practice guidance can help all PCCs to deliver on their aspirations and lead the field in delivering a new, networked relationship with the public.

The Chief Executive of the APCC Transitional Board, Mark Castle commented:

“This guidance offers PCCs a fantastic chance to increase their accessibility and improve the quality of their relationships with the public. PCCs will want the best possible links with all communities and this new guidance equips them to make the most of the opportunities presented by digital engagement.”

An entirely new system of oversight for policing provides the opportunity to reset the default setting on public services’ relationships with the public. These relationships should be open by default, digital by default, networked and agile, and our new guidance equips PCCs to deliver this step change in public engagement.

Notes:

1.       For interviews / further information please contact Nathan Oley on 07714 399 760 (APCC).

2.       The ‘Digital democracy‘ guidance is available here: http://www.apccs.police.uk/page/PCC%20Guidance (web view copy). This guidance was a collaboration between the APCC and Public-i which ‘exists to figure out how technology can improve the relationship between citizen and state.’ For more information on Public-i please see: www.public-i.info <http://www.public-i.info>  or contact andy.baker@public-i.info / 01273 821282.

3.       * The APCC survey of all winning candidates’ manifestos showed that they all prioritised ‘community engagement’ as a top priority. For the full results of this survey see: http://www.apccs.police.uk/page/pcc-candidates

4.       41 Police and Crime Commissioners were elected on 15.11.12 to tackle crime and to oversee all geographical police forces outside London in England and Wales until May 2016. Of the 41; 16 are Conservative, 13 Labour and 12 Independent. See their profiles here: http://www.apccs.police.uk/page/pcc-candidates

5.       The APCC is a transitional vehicle, commissioned by the Home Office to help elected PCCs to meet the public’s expectations and to engage with the Government and other partners on national matters. The Transition Board of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) will offer the following services:

• Facilitate a national programme of welcome and briefing for all PCCs
• Provide information on national policing policy issues and legislation
• Consult PCCs to enable them to develop policy positions and to influence change
• Facilitate the leadership of PCCs on national governance structures such as the National Crime Agency, National Police IT Company and Police Professional Bodies
• Assist PCCs in collaborating to share practice, procure services, and identify ways to achieve efficiencies through working together.

6.       The APCC is funded to provide free support to PCCs until the end of March 2013;  elected PCCs will make their own decisions about what they might require from a national support body beyond this date.