The importance of partnership working

Last week I joined UK policing minister Kit Malthouse, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt MS, and my Police and Crime Commissioner colleagues from across Wales to discuss partnership working.

Wales is currently recognised as leading the way in terms of partnership working between neighbouring police forces and other local agencies, and the Home Office is keen to learn from our success and to see how it can be applied in England.

Partnership working between public services in Wales is a requirement of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. I introduced the Bill to the National Assembly when I was a Welsh Government Minister, and I remain incredibly proud of it.

It ensures that public services work together to tackle issues and take decisions that are in the best interests of the people and communities they serve.

Policing is not devolved in Wales but it is my personal belief that it should be. I firmly believe that joined up partnership working between all public agencies is the only way to address many of the issues we currently face, and policing needs to be at the heart of this approach.

This is a view supported by the government here in Wales but not by the UK Government.

A devolved police service, answerable directly to the people of Wales, would reinforce the notion of ‘one public service’. It would free us to act more promptly to address key issues in the criminal justice system locally. Crucially, it would ensure that the best interests of the people of Wales are always at the forefront of our decision making.

I will continue to advocate for the devolution of policing in Wales throughout my term as Commissioner.