Who We Are

Surrey Police Authority is a committee of 17 local residents – nine County Councillors and eight Independent Members of the public including a serving Magistrate – responsible for making sure that Surrey Police is efficient, effective and delivers the service that local residents expect.

Leadership

The Authority votes to appoint a Chairman and Vice Chairman from in May each year. Our current Chairman is Peter Williams, who is supported by our Vice Chairman, Lynn Hawkins JP.

Councillor Members

Our Councillor Members are appointed to the Police Authority by Surrey County Council every year. The political balance of the Authority’s membership is based on the political balance of the County Council.

• Geoff Marlow (Con)
• Fiona White (LD)
• Hazel Watson (LD)
• Ernest Mallett (Residents’ Association)
• Yvonna Lay (Con)
• Margaret Hicks (Con)
• David Harmer (Con)
• Bill Barker (Con)
• Nick Skellett (Con)

Independent Members

Our Independent Members are members of the Surrey public appointed to the Police Authority following a recruitment process involving existing Police Authority Members and the Home Office. One of these Independent Members must be a serving Surrey Magistrate.

• Louise Rhodes
• Mike Blank
• Amanda Mills
• Claire Storey
• Peter Williams
• Lynn Hawkins JP (Magistrate Member)
• Jane Anderson
• Heather Kerswell

Independent Members of the Standards Committee

The Standards Committee of Surrey Police Authority, established under the Local Government Act 2000, comprises six members, three of whom are Independent Members appointed solely to the Standards Committee and three of whom are members of the Police Authority. The three sole members of the Standards Committee typically serve a term of four years. The members from the full Police Authority are rotated on a more frequent basis.

The Committee’s primary roles are to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members of the Authority and to assist them in observing the Authority’s Code of Conduct.

Our current Independent Members are:

• Gary Crouch
• Catherine Prest
• Sheila Griffiths

Independent Members of Misconduct Hearing Panels

Surrey Police Authority maintains a list of suitable people to sit on Misconduct Hearing Panels as Independent Members. These are not full Members of the Authority and are appointed following an advertising and recruitment process to serve solely on misconduct hearing panels. If the behaviour of a police officer falls below the required standard, the matter may be investigated and referred to a misconduct hearing. Hearings are held only where dismissal could be the outcome. Membership of the hearing panel will vary according to the rank of the officer concerned and panels are chaired by a senior police office. They also comprise two or three other members, including an Independent Member from the list maintained by the Police Authority. Surrey’s independent members for misconduct hearing panels, who serve a five year term of office are currently:

• Jane Charlton
• David Gill
• Sarah Ground
• Willie Jamieson
• Belinda Knight
• Alan Montgomery

Support staff

Surrey Police Authority is supported by a small team of administrative staff based at Surrey Police HQ, Guildford.

• Alison Bolton – Chief Executive

• Ian Perkin – Treasurer (part time)
• Johanna Burne – Senior Policy Officer (part time)
• Sarah Haywood – Policy Officer
• Sam Meyer – Policy Officer
• Nicola Hall – Independent Custody Visiting Scheme Manager (part time)
• Paul Rowan – Communication & Consultation Manager
• Sarah Thomas – Committee & Member Services Officer
• Rachel Lupanko – Office Manager

Key documents

SPA Business Plan 2012-13 – not to be confused with the Local Policing Plan, this document sets out the Authority’s objectives for itself.

SPA Code of Corporate Governance - this sets out how the Authority plans to comply with the principles of good governance in its role.

SPA Standing Orders - our Standing Orders regulate the conduct of the Authority’s business to ensure fair and accountable decision-making.

Members Registers of Interest June 2011 - documents in which our Members declare any interests relevant to their work.

2009-10 SPA Members Expenses - read the latest statement of expenses incurred by Surrey Police Authority Members.

SPA Gifts & Hospitality Policy - read the guidance on gifts and hospitality that Police Authority Members are expected to adhere to.