Political parties need to act urgently to ensure high-calibre candidates stand for election as police and crime commissioners, a report has said. ...

Handing power from central government over to a handful of individuals to set plans, hire and fire chief officers, including chief constable, and manage the multi-million pound police budget without any pilot scheme is a risky business.

What a week this has been! Violent disorder on the streets, the pointing of fingers of blame, the police infuriated with the politicians, the politicians cross with the police for not responding quickly or firmly enough

We don't hear a lot about Police Authorities and some say that this is symptomatic of their failure to hold the Police to account. But could it be because they actually do work very well in that triangular relationship between the Force, the Public and the Government?

In May 2012 English and Welsh voters in 41 constabularies are due to go to the polls to elect Police and Crime Commissioners. But with the Police Ref...