Authority was in charge of policing

What does the Police and Crime Commissioner replace?

Until now the powers that are to be given to the PCC have been in the hands of police authorities.

In our case it has been Avon and Somerset Police Authority – nine councillors and eight independent members – that has overseen the chief constable until now.

But the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill become an Act in September last year, forcing the introduction of the new role.

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At that time Avon and Somerset Police Authority carried out its own poll on whether the public wanted a PCC and almost three quarters of voters (72 per cent) said they were not comfortable with a politician overseeing policing.

Authority chairman, Dr Peter Heffer, has previously said he would be amazed if the police commissioner was not a political person due to the cost and time needed to wage an election campaign.

The elections were originally earmarked for May earlier on this year.