Mark Burns-Williamson OBE, new Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
Mark Burns-Williamson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire has been elected as the new Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners at their Annual General Meeting.
APCC Chair, Mark Burns-Williamson said:
“I am delighted to be able to take on the position of Chair for the next year. The Association has matured and developed in recent years since it was created back in 2013 and I am proud to be part of that with my lead portfolios on Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery, Forensics and ANPR for example.
“In helping to drive forward numerous portfolio areas with my PCC colleagues, locally and nationally, it’s vital that PCCs as the elected voice for policing and community safety are playing a key role in leading strategic partnerships with the Home Office, NPCC, College of Policing and wider transformation of the Criminal Justice System.
“The role of PCCs is to work collaboratively and collectively wherever possible with partners to ensure our communities are safe and feel safe. We are now entering a crucial period where, working closely with others, the APCC will be looking to play our part nationally in securing a sustainable level of resources for the police service in meeting the difficult community safety challenges ahead and the increasing demands on policing generally.”
Commenting on the work of the outgoing Chair, PCC David Lloyd (Hertfordshire) Mr Burns-Williamson, said:
“David has proved to be a very effective and professional Chair of the APCC further enhancing the role of the Association, it’s been a pleasure working with him and other colleagues on the APCC Board and I know he will continue to work closely with us on key APCC workstreams.”
In addition Martin Surl PCC for Gloucestershire and Roger Hirst PFCC for Essex will serve as Vice Chairs for the APCC.
About PCC Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
Mark was elected as West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 and re-elected with an increased majority in 2016. He is Chair of the West Yorkshire Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) and leads nationally for PCCs on the forensics, police aviation, ANPR and modern slavery/human trafficking portfolios, helping to establish and launch the National Anti-Slavery & Modern Slavery Network (NATMSN) in Jan 2016 which he chairs.
Prior to his election as PCC, Mark was a district councillor representing the Castleford Central & Glasshoughton Ward for 15 years as part of Wakefield Council. He became a member of the West Yorkshire Police Authority in 1999 and was elected Chair of the Authority in 2003 through to 2012.
He was also elected Chair of the National Association of Police Authorities (APA) in 2011 where he was instrumental in enabling the transition to the formation of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). He was honoured to receive an OBE from the Queen in 2011 for services to the community.