Concerns over police accountability and the control of wide ranging police discretion impacting on individual’s civil liberties is as old as policing itself (Feilzer, 2009). In order to judge police agencies whether they achieve their desired outcomes and provide the best level of service, clear accountability structures need to be embedded across the organisation (See Gaines and Cain, 1981 for a full discussion of accountability structures within organisational functions). Accountability is usually associated with punishment in a typically command and control system; rather it should focus on performance measures (Shane, 2010). The implicit logic behind the UK Coalition Government’s proposals in having elected Police and Crime Commissioners by 2012 centres around strengthening accountability in the police force. The argument given is that local accountability of the police will be enhanced through clearer strategic overview being provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner. Operational matters will remain at the discretion of Chief Officers although clearly the relationship between both the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Officers will be pivotal in defining the success of the new arrangements