How we work

The Governance Framework

The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable (CC) must ensure that they work in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently and effectively. The overarching scheme of governance sets out the arrangements in place for effective governance and financial management including the management of risk. It comprises a number of elements as follows; 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Schedule of MOU: The MOU describes how the PCC and Chief Constable will work together and ensure sufficient support in areas such as estate management, procurement, finance, HR, communications and corporate development.

Code of Corporate Governance: how the PCC and Chief Constable achieve the core principles of ‘good governance’.

Decision Making Framework, Appendix 1,  Appendix 2: how the PCC makes/publishes key decisions and holds the Chief Constable to account.

Scheme of Delegation for PCCs and Chief Constables.

Financial Regulations: These set out the framework for managing the PCC’s financial affairs

Contract Standing Orders: These describe the rules for the procurement of goods, works and services. 

A review of the Scheme has recently taken place (April 2025), in consultation with the Joint Audit Committee and colleagues in Surrey Police/OPCC. The next review for the Scheme is due March 2026.

Complaints Procedures

The Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) allows individuals to ask for a copy of the personal information that is held about them by the OSPCC. This is known as a Subject Access Request.

To make a Subject Access Request, please write to the OSPCC either by post or email [including proof of identity], as follows:

Address: Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2FZ

E-mail: pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk

A response will be provided to you within 30 calendar days from the receipt of your request.

Please note that the OSPCC is a separate organisation to Sussex Police and, as such, does not hold information regarding prosecutions, convictions and cautions.

Most Freedom of Information Requests are free of charge, however there might be a small fee for photocopies or postage.

This is covered in the national legislation.

Our Procurement process is covered within the Financial Regulations.

More information on commissioning can be found under our Commissioning page.

Within this section you can also find out information relating to:

• Victims Services
• Community Safety
• Restorative Justice

Information about funding made available from the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner via the Community Safety Fund and Victims’ Services Fund.

For information on how we handle requests for information, please visit the Freedom of Information section of our website. 

There is currently a review of the business classification scheme for the management of information.

The OSPCC has a Disposal and Retention Schedule for the maintenance of its records.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OSPCC) follows the same employment procedures as Sussex Police.