The PCC holds the Chief Constable to account and where she formally documents any key decisions relating to the police service.
The OPCC carries out a wide-ranging programme of external scrutiny via groups and panels made up of partners and members of the community. The individual groups and panels scrutinise a wide range of topics in differing ways; for example, some look at process whilst others look at outcomes and quality of provision. All groups contribute to accountability and monitoring of the Police and Crime and Justice Plan.
Existing Scrutiny Panels consist of the following:
Custody Detention Panel
Best Use of Stop and Search/Use of Force (BUSS)
Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence (VAWG/DA/SV)
Complaints
Independent Ethics Committee
Out of Court Disposal (OoCD)
ASB Case Review-Appeal Body
*Coming soon* Hate Crime
If you would like to apply for any of these schemes you can do so by completing this form and returning it to general.enquiriespcc@durham-pcc.gov.uk
Durham Constabulary can and do carry out their own internal assurance processes to learn and develop as an organisation, but the OPCC carry out their own independent scrutiny of the police. Effective and meaningful scrutiny is a key tool for the PCC in carrying out her duties and assists in holding the force to account and delivery of the Police and Crime Plan objectives.
Independent Custody Visitor Scheme
Independent Custody Visitors provide an additional, important form of scrutiny through the involvement of members of the public These volunteers carry out regular visits to police custody suites to observe how people in detention are treated and to check the conditions in which they are held. During visits, Independent Custody Visitors speak with detainees, review facilities, and raise any concerns or good practice identified. Their role helps ensure transparency, safeguards detainees’ welfare and rights, and builds public confidence by providing impartial, community-led oversight of police custody arrangements. You can find more information about this scheme here.
*Coming soon* Animal Welfare Scheme
The Animal Welfare Scheme (AWS) is all about ensuring Durham Constabulary’s police dogs are properly cared for and receive the highest standards of welfare while serving on behalf of the force. The AWS visitors will check on the conditions in which the dogs are housed, trained and transported. They will also observe dog training in progression and will provide feedback on all visits. Feedback from their visits will be shared with the OPCC Volunteers Manager and the Sergeant of the Dog Unit. You can find more information about this scheme here.
Scrutiny Annual Report and Reviews
2023/24- The attached report was presented to the Police and Crime Panel on 15th February 2024. Read the full report here.
The main findings were:
-To ensure recommendations and organisational learning from scrutiny panels are disseminated across the force.
-A need for more representation from younger people to seek their views and experiences.
-A need for regular monitoring of a comprehensive set of data on officers’ Use of Force/ Stop & Search to understand if they are applying it proportionately and fairly.
-Frequency of Panels to be considered to maximise focused outcomes.
-To ensure representation is diverse and balanced across all communities.
-To ensure all relevant scrutiny panel information is available and accessible on OPCC website.
-To ensure appropriate training is delivered to all panel members.
-Robust challenging processes to further improve training to officers and to understand concerns from its communities.
2024/25-