CLEVELAND residents have the chance to ask about police, crime and community safety topics close to their hearts.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (OPCC) is asking people to come forward to suggest topics for the PCC’s monthly scrutiny meetings.
Scrutiny meetings give Cleveland PCC Matt Storey a platform to scrutinise, support and challenge the performance of Cleveland Police.
They are attended by Matt, his staff and a number of senior officers from Cleveland Police.
Previous topics have included violence against women and girls, neighbourhood policing and retail crime.
Holding police to account
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey said: “Scrutiny meetings are an important part of the job of holding Cleveland Police to account.
“While I am not responsible for the day-to-day running of the police force, I am responsible for the totality of policing in Cleveland
“That means I have to make sure the force is working towards the objectives set out in my Police and Crime Plan.
“I also have to make sure that the force performs well and is in a position to deliver on its aims, objectives, strategies and plans.
“I’m really interested to know what topics really matter to local people and make sure they have a voice through the scrutiny process.”
Ways to add value
Monthly scrutiny meetings are just one of the ways, in which the PCC holds the force to account.
He also meets weekly with Chief Constable Mark Webster and hosts ad-hoc meetings to highlight a particular areas of concern.
The development of an effective and co-ordinated scrutiny programme lays the foundations for targeted and timely work on issues of local importance, where scrutiny can add value.
If you would like raise a topic at one of the PCC’s monthly Scrutiny Meetings, please submit your suggestions to [email protected] by Friday 21 March 2025.