Darryl Preston was re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on 3rd May 2024 for their second term in office.

Darryl served as both a front line police officer and a senior detective for 30 years (10 years in the Met and 20 years in Cambridgeshire).

After retiring from the force, he joined the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners as a senior official where he developed strategic positions and lobbied Government on topics such as serious violence, economic crime and sexual offences legislation. 

Darryl’s knowledge, skills and experience enable him to progress his Police and Crime Plan through holding Cambridgeshire Constabulary to account for their performance. This includes bringing agencies together and listening to the views and concerns of the public and local communities.

Darryl is currently the national Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Lead for forensics and biometrics.

The Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. They are responsible for the totality of policing.

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:

• secure efficient and effective police for their area.
• appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary, dismiss them.
• set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
• set the force budget and determine the precept;
• contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; and
• bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up.

PCCs are expected to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life, as determined and published by the Nolan Committee - the 'Nolan Principles'. Each PCC publishes their own Code of Conduct.

For more information on the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner along with the role of the Office of the PCC, please visit the APCC website: Association for Police and Crime Commissioners.