Suffolk Police and Crime Panel

1. The Panel's Role and Functions

The Suffolk Police and Crime Panel (PCP) is responsible for supporting and challenging the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) over a range of policy areas, including the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan.

The Panel also has a role in the handling of complaints against the PCC and the confirmation of key staff posts within the Office of the PCC.

2. Panel Members

The Police and Crime Panel has 13 members in total, comprising:

• four County Councillors
• seven representatives from the District and Borough Councils in Suffolk; and
• two independent co-opted members

The Panel is politically balanced, with the 11 local authority councillor representatives appointed to achieve political proportionality across Suffolk.

Panel Members

Chair

Councillor Sarah Mansel (Green) - Mid Suffolk District Council

Vice Chair

Simon Furlong - Co-opted Member 

Members

• Councillor Peter Beer (Con) - Suffolk County Council 
• Councillor Seamus Bennett (Lib Dem) - East Suffolk Council 
• Councillor Mike Chester (Con) - West Suffolk Council
• Councillor Stephen Connelly (Lab) - Ipswich Borough Council
• Councillor Adele Cook (Lab) - Suffolk County Council
• Councillor James Finch (Con) - Suffolk County Council 
• Councillor Liz Harsant (Con) - Suffolk County Council
• Councillor Elisabeth Malvisi (Ind) - Babergh District Council
• Councillor David Smith (Lab) - West Suffolk Council
• Councillor Rachel Smith-Lyte (Green) - East Suffolk Council
• Franstine Jones - Co-opted Member

3. Panel Meetings

The Panel will meet a minimum of four times a year.  Meetings are generally open to the public and will usually be held in the morning.

The papers and agendas for the meetings are available on our website five days before the meeting and will include venue details.

Dates will be subject to reconsideration by Council on 21 May 2026.  Additional meetings may be held to carry out confirmation hearings for the appointment of key staff in the PCC's office, or of a Chief Constable, and any such meetings will be added to this list.

Contact and further information

If you would like further information about the Police and Crime Panel please contact Democratic Services on tel. 01473 265119 or Email: committee.services@suffolk.gov.uk. 

• Suffolk Police and Crime Panel Committee Papers
• Suffolk County Council Youtube Channel Streams
• Suffolk PCC Website
• Public speaking at the meeting
• All further information about the Police and Crime Panel