About us 

Thames Valley Police Authority

Police authorities are independent bodies made up of local people who oversee the work of their police force and ensure that it meets the needs of the communities it serves.

[image: Thames Valley Police Authority logo]

Together with the Home Secretary and Chief Constables, they are responsible for the management of the police service in England and Wales. This arrangement is often referred to as ‘the tripartite structure’.

Thames Valley Police Authority is one of 43 police authorities in England and Wales. Its primary responsibility is to secure and maintain an efficient and effective police service in Thames Valley. It does this by:

• Hiring, and if necessary firing, the Chief Constable and senior police officers – it also checks on complaints against the police.
• Setting the policing budget and level of council tax.
• Publishing an annual plan, based on consultation with local people, setting out the services the police force should deliver and targets it should meet.

The Police Authority is mainly concerned with the monitoring and scrutiny of the police force and does not have a role in the management of operational policing matters - this falls strictly within the remit of the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police. However, it can require the Chief Constable to submit reports on particular operations which generate public concern.

In addition, the Chief Constable submits an annual report to the Authority on the policing of Thames Valley and attends monthly Police Authority meetings to deliver reports and updates.

For more information, visit the Thames Valley Police Authority website (opens new window), call 01865 846780 or email Thames Valley Police Authority.