Who we are and what we do

Merseyside Police Authority is made up of 17 members:

• Nine of us are local councillors from across Merseyside. The number of councillors on Merseyside Police Authority from each political party reflects the number of seats the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties hold on Merseyside.
• Eight of us are independent members. These posts are open to anyone living or working on Merseyside. The independent members include one magistrate member.
• We are supported by staff based at our offices at Mercury Court in Liverpool City Centre.
  

We have a range of roles and responsibilities. The main ones are:

• checking the level of service provided by Merseyside Police;
• making sure Merseyside Police Service is doing all the things the Government says it should, for example reducing people's concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour;
• asking members of the public what they want from policing on Merseyside and making sure their views make a difference;
• along with the Chief Constable, deciding how Merseyside Police Service can use the money given to us by the Government and money raised from council tax; and
• along with the Chief Constable, deciding what should happen in the future to make Merseyside Police Service as good as possible. This includes producing a publication called 'The Local Strategy and Policing Plan.'

We're also responsible for:

• appointing the Chief Constable and other senior officers;
• dealing with any complaints about the Chief Constable and other senior officers;
• deciding how much people on Merseyside pay towards policing through Council Tax; and
• supporting a group of volunteers, called independent custody visitors, who check on the welfare of people in police custody.