York and North Yorkshire Mayor

The York and North Yorkshire Mayor is responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account and ensuring that the best policing service possible is delivered to the people of North Yorkshire and the City of York.

The North Yorkshire Police Authority was abolished on 22 November 2012 and replaced with one directly elected individual called a Police and Crime Commissioner.

On 15 November 2018, responsibility for governance and oversight of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service transferred to the Commissioner, whose title changed as a consequence to become the North Yorkshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner.

On 7 May 2024 the roles and responsibilities of the Police, Fire and Crime commissioner transferred to the York and North Yorkshire Mayor.

On 7 May 2024 the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was renamed the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning.

Whilst the Chief Constable retains independence regarding operational policing decisions, the Mayor is responsible for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively and will hold the Chief Constable to account.

The Mayor sets the strategic direction of the service and sets performance targets after listening to local people about their views of the police. The Mayor also sets the police budget and raises a precept on local council taxpayers. Mayor can appoint and, where necessary, remove Chief Constables.

The relationship between the Chief Constable and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding.

The balance of power and decision making between the Mayor, the Chief Constable and also the Home Secretary is called the ‘tripartite’ system of governance which is unique to the British Police Service.

Further details of the decision making structure of the Commissioner can be found at the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning website. Throughout this site, specific details are given of how the Mayor works to oversee policing, fire, crime and commissioning and how they are accountable to local people for the police service.