The Police and Crime Commissioner is an elected individual that will oversee policing in South Yorkshire. The Commissioner is responsible for representing the public within South Yorkshire.Their role is to cut crime, reduce reoffending and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their force area. The Commissioner will hold the Chief Constable to account and have the ability to hire, and if necessary fire them if the need arises.

The Commissioners must ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible, and will improve local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They will also work in partnership across a range of agencies at local, regional and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

The Commissioners do not run the police as this is the responsibility of the Chief Constable. The role of the Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account.

The Police and Crime Commissioner replaced the former Police Authority on the 22nd of November 2012.