The Role of Chief Financial Officers in Policing

Summary

An overview of the roles of the PCC's CFO and the chief constable's CFO within policing, with particular focus on how the two CFOs can work together to achieve the best outcomes.

Format

PDF

Published

Mar

Author

CIPFA

FREE

Download now

The Role of CFOs in Policing builds heavily on CIPFA's statements on the Role of the CFO in Public Services and the Role of the CFO in Local Government. It applies the principles and roles in those statements to the police sector and specifically to the CFOs appointed by the police and crime commissioner and the chief constable in England and Wales. However, CIPFA also expects other police bodies in the UK to have regard to the statement and apply the principles.

The CFO occupies a critical position in any organisation, holding the financial reins of the business and ensuring that resources are used wisely to secure positive results. Achieving value for money and securing stewardship are key components of the CFO's role in a public service organisation, a duty enshrined in legislation for the CFOs appointed by PCCs and chief constables.

The purpose of this statement is to support CFOs in the fulfilment of their duties and to ensure that the PCC and chief constable have access to effective financial advice at the highest level. This edition has been updated to reflect developments in policing, such as PCCs in England being able to take on the governance of their local fire and rescue services and the creation of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).