Public urged to ask Police Chief’s a question in the latest Community Outcomes Meeting

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Burns-Williamson, is offering the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of him and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, John Robins, at his next Community Outcomes Meeting (COM).

Regular Community Outcomes Meetings focus on important policing and wider community safety issues, but the PCC will be holding his first virtual Community Outcomes Meeting at the end of this month for the Chief Constable to update him and our communities on the Covid19 impact and response here in West Yorkshire.

The PCC will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account on important issues and to raise issues with the Chief Constable on behalf of members of the community, but he wants this particular meeting to offer a greater opportunity for people to have their say also taking advantage of new ways of working and technology.

The next meeting will take place on 24th June and will be recorded and uploaded onto the PCC’s website as usual.

Anyone wishing to ask questions can submit them via email at policingandcrime@westyorks-ca.gov.uk, Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag #COMquestion and are asked to do so by 17 June.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “Community Outcomes Meetings are important in holding the Chief Constable to account and talking about the issues of concern for our communities

“However, I want to ensure we continue openness and transparency and the demonstration of public accountability on the issues which matter most to our communities whilst taking into account the challenges that West Yorkshire Police also face.

“As such we are focusing on policing and community safety during COVID-19, but I also wanted to give the public an opportunity to submit questions in advance of the meeting to allow them to raise any concerns or issues which they would like to be addressed.

“I would encourage people to submit any questions ahead of the meeting so that we can we can get a clear picture as to the issues and also be able to provide clear and concise answers to our communities. This is added to a public survey I have also launched (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WYPCCJune20) to gather wider views and feedback across West Yorkshire to inform priorities within my Police and Crime Plan.”

All appropriate questions will be answered if not in the meeting as soon as possible afterwards. Guidance on questions and the process can be found below.

COM - Questions from members of the public

Any member of the public may ask questions of the PCC which is relevant to the PCCs governance and oversight of West Yorkshire Police – Regular Community Outcomes Meetings focus on important policing and wider community safety issues, this meeting will focus on the Covid19 impact and response here in West Yorkshire.

We cannot accept questions which are the subject of a formal complaint under the Police Complaints Procedure or are the subject of legal proceedings.

To allow an opportunity to obtain information in order that a meaningful response may be given, we will ask for written notice of questions by 17 June 2020. Questions will be invited through email and social media only. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that questions are answered fully and concisely.

The OPCC will use discretion to limit the number of questions asked by members of the public in order to avoid disruption of the business of the COM meeting. Questions chosen will be appropriate and be most reflective of those received. In any event the total time allowed for public question and answers shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions that remain unanswered within the timescale shall receive written responses only.