The UK and Global Freedom of Religion or Belief
The briefing sets out international commitments on freedom of religion or belief, reports of discrimination, and UK international work on the issue.

This Library briefing describes the role and functions of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). It explains how they work with police chiefs and how they are held accountable.
Police and Crime Commissioners (797 KB , PDF)
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are directly elected politicians responsible for securing an “effective and efficient” police force for their area.
The first PCC elections took place in 2012. The last PCC election took place 6 May 2021. The Library briefing PCC Elections 2021 sets out the results. The election was due to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
PCCs have three core functions:
There are 39 PCCs in England and Wales. Four of them, the PCCs for Essex, Staffordshire, West Mercia and Northamptonshire, also hold responsibilities relating to their local fire & rescue service. These PCCs are technically known as Police, Fire & Crime Commissioners (PFCCs). Throughout this briefing the term PCC will be used inclusively of PFCCs.
PCCs are held accountable in three ways:
Like all politicians PCCs are also held accountable by public opinion. PCCs can voluntarily resign and some have done so.
The Government is currently conducting a two-part internal review of the PCC model. The review has been prompted by a Conservative Party 2019 manifesto commitment to “strengthen the accountability of elected Police and Crime Commissions and expand their role”. The Government says it is “right to step back and consider how we can continue to evolve the PCC model” now that good time has passed since the introduction of PCCs.
Part one of the review concluded in March 2021. The Government is committed to several reforms of the PCC model as a result. A full list of the commitments, organised by theme, is set out in the annex of this briefing. These commitments are discussed in detail where relevant throughout this briefing.
Part two of the review was launched on 27 July 2021. Its terms of reference sets out a focus on “the tools and levers” PCCs need to fight crime and “scrutiny of the PCC model”. The review team will report to the Home Office by November 2021. The Government says this will allow it to “plan for any legislative changes” needed to embed the recommendations of both parts of the review.
There have been some general concerns with the PCC model since its introduction. Most notably that:
Despite the concerns the Government has been positive about the impact of PCCs. It says PCCs have “brought real local accountability to policing”. In their 2016 report on PCCs the Home Affairs Select Committee largely agreed. They said that “the introduction of PCCs has worked well to date and has had some beneficial effect on public accountability and clarity of leadership in policing.” However, part-one of the Government’s review did find room to improve the accountability and transparency of PCCs so the public can make “an informed decision about the record of their PCC at the ballot box”.
Police and Crime Commissioners (797 KB , PDF)
The briefing sets out international commitments on freedom of religion or belief, reports of discrimination, and UK international work on the issue.
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