Principal Officer
Mrs Alyson Holmes
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- To support the Chief Executive in leading, managing and developing the full range of services provided to the Police Authority and its members and to provide leadership and management for the Secretariat on their behalf.
- To have line and personal development responsibility for the Authority’s Secretariat staff.
- To support the Chief Executive in developing and enhancing the Authority’s governance and decision making structures and processes to ensure that they meet statutory duties, accord with its approved constitutional and delegation arrangements (applying from time to time) and meet its objectives and outcomes.
- To support the Chief Executive in managing the administration of the Authority’s business on a day-to-day basis and in ensuring that it is conducted at all times in a professional, timely and courteous way
- To develop the relationship and communications with key Force personnel (both officers and staff) and with other relevant partners, including Government Departments.
- To support the provision and development of effective member training, development and support.
- To support through personal leadership the delivery of services to agreed quality standards, within budget and approved staffing levels, and take responsibility for HR management issues and the preparation and monitoring of the Secretariat’s business plan.
- To oversee the day-to-day management of the Authority’s budget as it affects the functions of the members, the Chief Executive and the Secretariat, including effective communications with key Force finance officers.
- To be a point of contact, day-to-day, for Authority members, the Authority’s Executive Officers, the senior officers of the Force, other Force personnel, the public and external partners as regards the services provided by the Secretariat
- To maintain and develop good and effective working relationships with all relevant members, officers, external partners and volunteers.
- To support the Authority on governance, constitution and delegation matters, the services provided by the Secretariat and member support and development.
- To support members in their activities, to enable them to fulfil all their responsibilities effectively and in a way that complies with all statutory and other requirements; and to contribute to the development of improved information flows for members.
- To work with and develop the day-to-day relationship with the Force Information Technology (IT) support function for the provision of Police Constables (PCs) and associated equipment for members and the Secretariat and promote the development of relevant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training tailored to suit members’ and officers’ needs; and with the Force ICT team to develop the Police Authority website.
- To support the identification of the relevant development needs of members, ensuring effective commissioning arrangements are in place to deliver any training or development identified and to put in place arrangements for the annual Review of Professional Development (RPD) process for all members.
- To participate in the preparation and presentation of evidence to inform external inspections of the Authority and constitutional governance aspects of audit.
- To oversee the operation of the Authority’s complaints policies and procedures as they relate to members, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)/Executive officers and Authority officers.
- To maintain and promote effective communications and liaison with partners at Neighbourhood, Basic Command Unit, District, City, County, Force, Regional and National level.
- To participate in and to put in place appropriate arrangements for the recruitment and selection of Authority members (both Councillor and Independent), ACPO ranks, Authority Executive Officers and other Authority personnel, including all necessary contact and arrangements with the Regional HM Inspector of Constabulary and the Senior Appointments Panel of the Home Office.
- To promote and oversee the efficient and effective functioning of Police Appeal Tribunal (PAT) arrangements, including the appointment of members to specific PATs, members’ training and liaison and communications with barristers’ chambers.
- To maintain the required list of Independent Persons (for certain misconduct hearings) and ensuring relevant contact and training for persons on the list.
- To promote continuous improvement and efficiency within the Secretariat in delivering high quality and relevant services.
- To oversee and develop the Authority’s arrangements for the Independent Advisory Group and the roles it fulfils.
Responsible to: Chief Executive to the Authority