Information about Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel

The Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel (PFCP) has been established to scrutinise and support the work of the Commissioner and is one of the key checks and balances in relation to monitoring their performance. (The PFCP is not there to scrutinise the Chief Constable or Chief Fire Officer). The Commissioner will be required to consult with the PFCP on his or her plans and budget for policing and the Fire and Rescue service, as well as the council tax precept and certain key appointments. 

Westmorland and Furness Council is the host local authority for the PFCP and will provide administrative and other support to the panel and its members.

What is the make up of the Panel?

The 2 Unitary Local authorities making up the Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel are:

• Westmorland and Furness Council
• Cumberland Council

What will the Cumbria Police and Crime Panel do?

• To review the draft Police and Crime plan
• To review the draft Fire and Rescue plan
• To publicly scrutinise the Commissioner's annual report
• To review and scrutinise decisions and actions by the Commissioner
• To review the Commissioner's proposed precept levels
• To review the Commissioner's Conduct
• To review and confirm the Commissioner's proposed appointments of Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer, Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner

Other key Cumbria Police and Crime information includes:

• Rules of Procedure
• Terms of Reference, Approach and Composition
• Travel Expenses

Complaints

Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel is responsible for handling complaints about the conduct of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) and the Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. If your complaint alleges criminal conduct we will record it first then refer it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation. If you send your complaint directly to the IOPC they will send it to us to record it.

Non-criminal complaints are dealt with by the host authority, usually through a process called informal resolution. This is where the Panel mediates between both parties to solve, clarify, explain or settle the matter without investigation or formal proceedings.

Complaints Procedure:

Complaints process (PDF 370KB)

Complaints protocol (PDF 735KB)

Habitual or vexatious complaints protocol (PDF 449KB)

Complaints flow chart (PDF 594KB)

Complaints form (Microsoft Form)

There are some complaints we can't look into because we do not have the legal power to do so. There are separate procedures for the following complaints:

• Complaints about operational policing or fire and rescue service matters or the performance of either Cumbria Police or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
• Complaints about the Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer and staff the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are dealt with by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Please go to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners website for further information.