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Open and Transparent Quality Mark 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20
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OPCC commitment to engage the public

Public engagement aims to bring people and communities together to address issues of common importance, to solve shared problems and to bring about positive social change.

It allows citizens to get involved in public issues so that leaders and decision makers better understand their perspectives, opinions, and concerns.

When done well it includes those members of the community whose voices have traditionally been left out of political and policy debates.

Moreover it:

  • helps people weigh a variety of perspectives and listen to each other’s views;
  • builds common understanding, manages differences and establishes direction for moving ahead on tough issues;
  • builds trust and improves communication between the public and leaders;
  • creates new opportunities for citizens to become involved in public problem solving and decision making.

In 2016 the PCC made a commitment to improve engagement in three sections – external (with public/partners), internal (officers/staff), and stakeholder (politicians, local government organisations, third sector providers, health providers, criminal justice providers).

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has improved its external/public engagement each year.

In 2019, we attended more events than ever, gave the public more opportunities to meet the PCC or her team face to face and invested in developing our on-line communities.

We will continue to investigate the most appropriate and cost effective ways to engage people and communities and we will do this on a case by case basis so we can use the most appropriate and effective methods.

The OPCC occassionally uses paid for promotion via social media because evidence has shown that when it is used alongside more traditional methods of engagement is highly cost effective.

You can find more information and results relating to polls and surveys conducted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner here.